Large sinkhole swallows road section in Shanghai during metro construction

A massive sinkhole opened at the intersection of Qixin and Li’an roads in the Minhang district of Shanghai on Thursday, February 12. The collapse followed a water leak discovered by workers on Wednesday night during excavations for the new Qixin Road station on the Jiamin metro line. Although efforts were made to plug the leak, a significant portion of the road eventually gave way, damaging nearby structures. Authorities promptly closed the intersection to traffic and pedestrians to ensure public safety. As a precaution, nearby office buildings and residential complexes were evacuated, and a local hospital suspended its services. No injuries or fatalities have been reported by Shanghai authorities at this time. Experts suggest that soil erosion, groundwater pumping, and urban construction activities are likely contributing factors to the incident. The Jiamin metro line is a 44-kilometer project that began in 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2027.