Fears for Bangkok buildings left teetering by huge sinkhole

Bangkok: There are fears that at least one building could collapse in central Bangkok after a huge sinkhole swallowed up a busy road intersection on Wednesday, damaging infrastructure and prompting evacuations.

The Bangkok Post reported that workers were rushing to fill in the sinkhole near Vajira Hospital in Dusit district with sandbags and crushed stone to prevent further subsidence.

There were no casualties from the collapse, but three vehicles were damaged, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

The sinkhole opened up without warning about 7am Bangkok time near the construction site of the Mass Rapid Transport line’s new Vajira station, directly in front of the hospital.

According to the Bangkok Post, a 20-metre-deep underground tunnel caved in, causing soil to shift and fall into the station. Water then flowed into the hole from a broken water main, making the situation worse.

Videos of the moment of collapse showed the road surface slowly sinking, pulling down several electricity poles and damaging water pipes.

Cars tried to reverse as the hole grew larger and completely severed the four-lane road. One edge of the hole stopped right in front of a police station, exposing its underground structure.

People were ordered to evacuate the police station and other nearby buildings. Vajira Hospital announced a two-day closure of outpatient services, with only inpatient services remaining.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) said it had halted all construction work and had begun a full investigation.

City officials were working to stabilise the area and restore traffic as quickly as possible, The Nation reported.

The immediate priority was to stop soil and groundwater from entering the hospital, the MRTA said. Officials had shut down electricity and water in the area.

Chadchart, the Bangkok governor, said authorities were working to repair the hole as quickly as possible amid concerns that heavy rain could cause further damage. Bangkok is currently in the monsoon season.

AP

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