Bangkok sinkhole crisis: Sandbags, stone deployed to prevent building collapse (VIDEO)

BANGKOK, Sept 25 — Teams in Bangkok are racing to fill a vast sinkhole on Samsen Road with sandbags and crushed stone to prevent further subsidence and the potential collapse of nearby structures, the Bangkok Post reported.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) said Thursday that the top priority was to stop soil and groundwater from infiltrating the Vajira Hospital station in Dusit district, which is under construction as part of the Purple Line extension.

Sandbags were also positioned to divert rainwater away from the 30-metre-wide, 30-metre-long, 50-metre-deep chasm, which could worsen the collapse if flooded.

The sinkhole formed Wednesday morning after a tunnel for the subway track caved in, causing rapid soil movement into the underground station. Damaged pipes allowed water to pour into the hole, accelerating the slide.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said about 50,000 sandbags had been placed to plug the damaged tunnel section and stop further soil from flowing in.

Officials said Vajira Hospital’s underground structure was largely secure, thanks to protective concrete walls.

A nearby new Samsen police station, however, is at risk.

Soil beneath the building shifted from its foundation, causing two of its five-storey pillars to vanish. Around 50 police officers and residents from 20 households were evacuated.

Bedridden and elderly residents were assisted after water and internet services were disrupted.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site Wednesday, warned that repairs to the tunnel and road could take at least a year.

An MRTA-led investigation will determine the cause of the collapse.