Why did the highway in West Sumatra collapse?

The highway collapsed due to heavy monsoon rains saturating the ground, leading to landslides and mudflows that destabilized the road.

Were there any injuries during the Indonesian highway collapse?

No, miraculously, no injuries were reported as people and vehicles managed to escape the crumbling road.

How large was the sinkhole created by the highway collapse?

The sinkhole measured approximately 20-30 meters wide, completely cutting off the affected stretch of highway.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Massive Sinkhole Swallows Indonesian Highway

Massive Sinkhole Swallows Indonesian Highway

5 Dec

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Summary

A highway in West Sumatra, Indonesia, collapsed into a sinkhole.
Heavy rains and landslides caused the road to crumble suddenly.
Miraculously, no injuries were reported during the highway collapse.

A dramatic highway collapse occurred in West Sumatra, Indonesia, creating a massive sinkhole that swallowed a large section of the road. Video footage captured the terrifying moments as cracks appeared and rapidly widened, leading to the asphalt's sudden disintegration. The event, attributed to saturated slopes from torrential rains and recent landslides, left a gaping 20-30 meter chasm.

Remarkably, there were no reported injuries, with bystanders describing it as a miracle as people on vehicles scrambled to safety. The unstable, waterlogged ground, exacerbated by deforestation, led to mudflows that destroyed the highway overnight. The resulting mud depth of 1.5 meters and difficult terrain are hindering immediate aid and rescue operations.

This incident in Indonesia highlights the severe impact of extreme weather compounded by environmental degradation. Heavy monsoon rains and deforestation have previously contributed to devastating floods and landslides, underscoring the vulnerability of infrastructure in regions facing ecological challenges and climate volatility.