Authorities have recovered the body of a motorcyclist who disappeared into a large sinkhole in Seoul.
The sinkhole, measuring approximately 65 feet in both width and depth, appeared at an intersection in the Myeongil-dong area of eastern Seoul on Monday afternoon. The incident resulted in the death of the motorcyclist and minor injuries to a woman whose van was driving over the location, according to officials from the Associated Press.
The motorcyclist, identified as a man in his 30s, was located before noon on Tuesday, emergency officer Kim Chang Seob stated during a televised press conference.
Kim reported that the man was found wearing a helmet and motorcycle boots. Prior to discovering his body, authorities located his Japanese-made motorcycle and cell phone.
According to Kim, the search and recovery operation took first responders nearly 18 hours due to the need to pump out water and excavate through dirt and other debris.
Kim also mentioned that rescuers utilized excavators, shovels, and other equipment during the search.
The cause of the sinkhole is currently under investigation.
Kim stated that the injured woman sustained only minor injuries.
Footage from a dashboard camera at the scene showed a vehicle swerving to avoid the sinkhole before the motorcyclist fell into it, Reuters reported.