Man Swallowed by Massive Seoul Sinkhole Found Dead

A man who fell into a large sinkhole in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, has been found dead, authorities confirmed.

Rescue teams recovered his body on Tuesday morning around 11:00 local time, approximately 50 meters (164 feet) from where he initially fell.

The tragic incident, which also left a car driver injured, has gone viral on South Korean social media.

Dashcam footage circulating online captures the shocking moment the road gave way near a busy traffic junction, sending a motorcyclist plunging into the deep void while a car narrowly escaped disaster.

Earlier in the search, officials discovered the victim’s mobile phone and motorcycle inside the massive sinkhole, which spans 20 meters wide and 20 meters deep. The man, believed to be in his 30s, has not yet been publicly identified.

Kim Chang-seop, head of the Gangdong fire station, revealed that the sinkhole contained 2,000 tonnes of soil and water. The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation.

A recent report submitted to the Seoul city government highlighted that 223 sinkholes have formed across the city over the past decade, often due to poor infrastructure, ageing pipes, long-term ground subsidence, or excavation-related accidents.

Sinkholes, which can occur naturally due to the erosion of underground rock layers like limestone or chalk, can also be triggered by human activities, accelerating ground collapse. Similar incidents have been reported in other countries, including Japan and Malaysia, where people have vanished into sudden chasms.

Authorities are now under pressure to address the growing concerns over Seoul’s underground stability as the city grapples with the risks posed by deteriorating infrastructure.