In Seoul, South Korea, a motorcyclist named Park lost his life after a giant sinkhole suddenly appeared beneath him. The incident, which took place in the Gangdong district on March 24, was captured on video and has gone viral on social media.

In the dashcam footage shared online, Park can be seen riding behind a car when the road suddenly collapses. The car in front narrowly escapes falling into the 20-meter-wide, 20-meter-deep hole, bouncing slightly as it speeds past. Unfortunately, Park had no time to react and plunged into the sinkhole.

Authorities launched a search operation immediately after the accident. First responders pumped out water and dug through the debris for nearly 18 hours to find Park. During the search, they recovered a mobile phone and later found Park’s motorcycle 30 meters away from the sinkhole. Sadly, Park’s body was discovered after the extensive overnight effort.

An X user named Collin Rugg posted the viral video, writing, “First responders reportedly had to pump out water and dig through the dirt for 18 hours to find him.” 

Watch here:

The video has since been viewed over three million times.

Social media reactions: ‘That is absolutely terrifying’

Many people online expressed shock and sadness after watching the footage. One viewer commented, “The people in that van were beyond lucky. I don’t see how they didn’t go down too. It looked like they got shoved up or something.” Another wrote, “That is absolutely terrifying. And sad.”

A third user said, “DAMN!! There’s an irrational fear I never even thought of that I can add to the list now.”

Seoul’s sinkhole problem: Hundreds of incidents reported

According to a report recently submitted to Seoul’s city government, 223 sinkholes have formed across the city over the past decade. Experts believe these sinkholes result from issues like poor infrastructure maintenance, aging or damaged underground pipes, ground subsidence (gradual sinking of land), and excavation-related accidents.

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