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Giant sinkhole swallows cars and trees at hospital in Naples
A massive sinkhole opened in Naples in southern Italy on Friday, 8 January 2021, swallowing at least three cars and briefly cutting power at nearby hospital. Neighbourhood homes, including one for recovering COVID-19 patients, were evacuated but there appeared to be no injures caused by the crater in Naples. The COVID-19 residence housed six patients and they've been relocated. The 2 000-square-metre sinkhole opened under the largely empty visitors’ parking lot of Hospital of the Sea. Electricity and water service were briefly interrupted but backup systems allowed operations to continue. “Frankly, we were also worried about the collapse of all utilities and that the activity of the hospital could be jeopardised," said Regional Governor Vincenzo De Luca. “Thank God, this did not happen. We had a power break but electricity was restored and now we don’t have any problem in providing care." The sinkhole, which was 20 metres deep and opened up at dawn, could have been caused by recent heavy rainfall, according to fire fighters. "It’s almost certain that the rainwater from these past few days caused the seepage that resulted in the collapse," Chief fire fighter Cmdr Ennio Aquilino said. "There will be further technical inspections but the principal hypothesis is this.”
Sources: Euro News, NBC News |
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