Motorcyclist found dead 17 hours after falling into massive sinkhole in Gangdong-gu, Seoul

A motorcyclist who fell into a massive sinkhole that opened in the middle of a road in Myeongil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, was found dead 17 hours after the incident. 

The victim, identified only by the surname Park (33), was discovered in a state of cardiac arrest.

Kim Chang Seop, head of the Fire Administration Division at Gangdong Fire Station, announced at a briefing on the afternoon of the 25th, "The 30-year-old man who was buried was found at 11:22 a.m. in a state of cardiac arrest." He added, "We deeply regret not being able to deliver better news after nearly 17 hours of rescue efforts."

Kim expressed condolences to the victim’s family, saying, "We wish the deceased eternal peace."

Rescue teams had worked through the night to search for the victim. At 1:37 a.m., they located Park’s mobile phone, and at around 3:30 a.m., they discovered the motorcycle.

Kim explained that Park was found approximately 50 meters from the sinkhole at a depth of about 90 cm. "He was found almost intact, wearing a helmet and motorcycle gloves, lying face down," Kim said.

Park’s family, who had been anxiously waiting at the scene, broke down in tears upon hearing the tragic news.

The incident occurred at around 6:29 p.m. on the 24th at the intersection near Daemyung Elementary School in Myeongil-dong, Gangdong-gu. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 18 meters wide and 20 meters long, is estimated to be over 30 meters deep. The sudden collapse of the road caused Park and his motorcycle to fall into the sinkhole.