Table of Contents
Another Sinkhole Occurs, Warning Signs for Ground Stability in Sasang-gu
A road subsidence accident has occurred again in Sasang-gu, Busan. Following the major sinkhole incident last August, a similar event has occurred near the Sasang-Hadan urban railway construction site in April this year, raising concerns about the ground stability in the area.
Around 5:30 AM on April 13, 2025, the Sasang sinkhole occurred near 99 Saebyeok-ro, specifically in front of Hyundai BNG Steel on Gaya-daero. The incident resulted in ground subsidence measuring 3 meters wide, 4.5 meters long, and 5 meters deep.
The Sasang District Office reported that they received a suspicious report of ground subsidence from the police and discovered signs of the accident while inspecting the site with construction officials. Safety measures were implemented, which led to the actual occurrence of the sinkhole. Fortunately, there were no casualties, allowing a major disaster to be averted.
Sasang-Hadan Line: Ground Subsidence and Weak Ground Issues
The section where the accident took place is part of the construction area for Busan Metro Line 5, specifically the 'Sasang-Hadan urban railway line.' A major sinkhole accident occurred here last year, resulting in two trucks falling 8 meters. At that time, the Busan Subway Accident Investigation Committee analyzed the cause of the incident as "abnormal heavy rain and poor waterproof construction methods." These issues highlight the need for heightened awareness regarding future construction.
The cause of this recent incident appears to be long-term leakage from a broken communication pipe connected to the sewer box, leading to soil erosion and ground voids. The city of Busan plans to precisely identify the cause through expert investigations. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Sasang District Office, the transportation corporation, and underground facility managers, measures will be put in place to prevent further land subsidence.
The incident occurred in Sasang-gu, an area known for its weak ground. In relation to this, a collapse accident also occurred in the Bujeon-Masan line tunnel construction section.
Therefore, to ensure the ground stability in this area, there are calls for more precise geological surveys and a review of construction methods.
Busan City's Response and Recovery Plans
Immediately after the accident, Mayor Park Hyung-joon visited the site to understand the circumstances and instructed prompt recovery and safety measures. An interim restoration is scheduled to be completed the same day, with plans to restore the road for vehicle traffic from 6 AM on the following day, the 14th.
Currently, a protective wall is being installed, and vehicle control is ongoing, along with ground reinforcement work and long-term stabilization measures being planned. These actions are expected to lay a crucial foundation for citizens' safety.
Recurring Sinkholes: Prioritizing Safety in Urban Railways
The Sasang-Hadan line of the Busan Metro began construction in 2015, aiming to open by the end of 2026. However, with the continuous occurrence of ground subsidence accidents since the start of construction, the safety of the urban railway project and its capability to respond to weak ground have become critical issues.
The recent sinkhole clearly illustrates the risks associated with construction on weak ground. The city of Busan must take this incident as an opportunity to thoroughly inspect underground infrastructure and to formulate more effective accident prevention measures.
The recurring nature of these incidents cannot be resolved through simple restorations. Sasang-gu, being geologically vulnerable, requires precise ground investigations, appropriate construction methods, and strengthened oversight of construction activities.
Local governments must devise fundamental solutions to these recurring accidents to alleviate citizens' anxieties and ensure the safety of the urban transportation network. Sustainable urban development requires not only simple repairs but also a 'prevention-focused' construction management system and technical responses.
The city of Busan is currently in a situation where it must swiftly implement comprehensive responses to safeguard citizen safety and trust. Only with these efforts can a safe living environment be created for the citizens.
#SasangSinkhole, #BusanGroundSubsidence, #SasangHadanLine, #BusanMetroLine5, #BusanSinkhole, #SasangGuWeakGround, #SubwayConstructionAccident, #GroundStability, #BusanUrbanPlanning, #SasangGroundSubsidence, #BusanUndergroundAccident, #BusanConstructionSiteAccident, #SinkholeCause, #UrbanRailwayConstruction, #BusanConstructionAccident, #BusanGeologicalSurvey, #SasangHakjangDong, #SasangHadanSubway, #SasangHadanConstructionSite, #RoadSubsidence, #BusanSinkholeAccident, #SasangAccidentSite, #GroundSubsidenceAccident, #UrbanRailwaySafety, #MayorParkHyungjoon, #SasangDistrictOffice, #BusanTransportationCorporation, #SewerPipeBreakage, #SasangHadanLineSafety, #GroundVoids, #BusanNews
