A motorcyclist was found dead in South Korea’s capital after he plunged into a massive sinkhole that opened in the street.

Officials estimated the sinkhole measured approximately 65 feet wide and 65 feet deep.

The sinkhole swallowed the motorcyclist and injured a woman whose van passed over the area.

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From the Associated Press:

The motorcyclist, who was in his 30s, was found before noon on Tuesday, emergency officer Kim Chang Seob told a televised briefing. Kim said the man was found wearing a helmet and motorcycle boots, and that rescue workers found his Japanese-made motorcycle and mobile phone before reaching his body. Kim said rescuers used excavators, shovels and other equipment to find him.

Kim said the injured woman didn’t fall into the sinkhole and she sustained minor injuries.

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The cause of the sinkhole was under investigation.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the site on Monday night and asked authorities to find why the sinkhole happened and prevent recurrences of similar incidents.

Fox News reports:

Kim said the man was found wearing a helmet and motorcycle boots, and that rescue workers discovered his Japanese-made motorcycle and cell phone before reaching his body.

He was quoted by Reuters as saying that it took first responders almost 18 hours to find the victim as they had to pump out water and dig through dirt and other debris.

Kim added that rescuers used excavators, shovels and other equipment to find him.

The cause of the sinkhole remains under investigation.

The woman who was injured only sustained minor injuries, according to Kim.

 

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