In a dramatic incident captured on security cameras, a woman shopper in eastern China was engulfed by a sinkhole when the floor of a shopping center suddenly collapsed. The shocking video, which has gone viral, shows the woman crossing the store floor when it gives way, swallowing her and two clothing racks whole.
Another shopper is seen running away in panic. A construction worker, who was working below, was also trapped by the rubble.
Fortunately, emergency crews arrived promptly and freed both the woman and the construction worker. They were then taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The construction worker sustained leg injuries from fallen debris, while the shopper suffered fractures. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
As responsible parties, the mall representatives have been actively handling the aftermath and providing necessary assistance.
Shocking footage shows the moment a woman is swallowed up as the floor of a shopping center in the Chinese city of Zhenjiang suddenly collapses.
A construction worker, who was on the floor below at the time of the collapse, and the woman were both trapped but subsequently… pic.twitter.com/2O6diLPcIT
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) March 30, 2024
According to Mr. Huang, the representative of the mall, both individuals are injured but in stable condition. The construction worker sustained leg injuries due to fallen debris, while the shopper suffered fractures.
Immediate medical attention was provided to both, and they were taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and care. The mall representatives are actively handling the aftermath and ensuring necessary assistance for those affected.
Mr. Huang, the representative of the mall, stated, “As they are our customers, we, as the responsible party, have been actively handling the aftermath and providing necessary assistance.”
As per the South China Morning Post, the mall manager attributed the collapse to a damaged load-bearing wall. However, authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
They aim to determine whether it was a single incident or indicative of larger safety flaws in the building and maintenance of public infrastructure.
Notably, earlier this month, a massive sinkhole engulfed part of a building in Rockdale near Sydney’s M6 tunnel. Approximately 20 people were evacuated from the area as firefighters worked to stabilize the site. Fortunately, no one was inside the building when it started to collapse.
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