Massive sinkhole swallows cars, electricity poles near Bangkok hospital

A 50 metre-deep sinkhole opened near a Bangkok hospital early on Wednesday, sucking in cars and electricity poles, leaving commuters stunned and prompting an emergency response in the Thai capital.

Bangkok city authorities closed roads around the Vajira Hospital on Samsen Road in the city’s historic old town at around 7am (local time) as the crater emerged, ripping apart pipes that spewed out torrents of water while toppled electricity cables sent out dangerous sparks.

Patients and residents in nearby flats were evacuated as the hole – measuring roughly 30 by 30 metres wide and 50 metres deep – appeared in front of the public hospital.

A statement shared by the state-run National News Bureau of Thailand (NBT) said the sinkhole was expanding but no injuries have yet been reported.

“Emergency crews and engineering teams are on-site working to stabilise the area and prevent further damage,” NBT said, adding a nearby utility station had been closed as the sinkhole raised “risks to infrastructure and heightening concerns for commuters and pedestrians”.

Speculation mounted linking the sinkhole to nearby digging on a new underground electric train line, but officials had yet to confirm the cause.