Residents of Godstone village in southeastern England are reeling after a massive sinkhole opened on their main road. It expanded rapidly and forced evacuations. The dramatic incident began late Monday when the first crater emerged on the high street. Eventually, it stretched over 20 meters (65 feet) long—about the length of a blue whale.
On Wednesday, a second sinkhole appeared along the same road. As a result, police cordoned off dozens of homes. Surrey County Council declared a “major incident” as a precaution. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.
Aerial footage reveals one sinkhole filled with water. Meanwhile, a parked car’s rear wheels dangle dangerously near the edge of the other. Families living nearby have been relocated to ensure their safety.
Shane Fry, a 34-year-old garage owner, works 200 meters from the site. He described the first sinkhole as looking “like a pond.” Expressing concern over the impact on his business, Fry urged local authorities to expedite repairs.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear. However, experts are investigating potential factors such as heavy traffic, a burst water pipe, or the geological composition beneath the road. Meanwhile, structural engineers continue to assess the site to manage risks. They are also determining necessary repairs, according to Carl Bussey, assistant director at Surrey County Council.
Sinkholes of this size are uncommon in Britain. Typically, road damage involves smaller potholes. In contrast, Japan reports thousands of sinkholes annually due to aging infrastructure and extreme weather. For instance, earlier this month, a 40-meter-wide crater near Tokyo swallowed a truck. Tragically, the incident resulted in the suspected death of its 74-year-old driver.
Local authorities in Godstone remain on high alert as investigations continue. Meanwhile, affected residents await further updates on restoration efforts
