MRT tunnel failure sparks 50-metre-wide sinkhole, forcing evacuations and urgent stabilisation work
A massive sinkhole outside Vajira Hospital in Bangkok has forced evacuations, road closures, and urgent rescue measures after swallowing part of Samsen Road on Wednesday morning (Sep 24). Authorities say repairs to the collapsed subway tunnel could take at least a year.
Sinkhole Engulfs Road Outside Hospital
The 50-metre-deep sinkhole opened around 7.15am in front of Vajira Hospital in Dusit district, pulling down power lines and rupturing pipes that gushed water into the collapse. Photos and videos showed vehicles teetering on the edge as emergency workers scrambled to cordon off the site.
MRT Tunnel Failure and Heavy Rains
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the collapse was triggered by a leaky water pipe and soil erosion linked to a subway tunnel under construction for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority’s (MRTA) Purple Line extension. Heavy rainfall intensified the erosion, causing soil to pour into the unfinished station below.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
Officials deployed 50,000 sandbags and crushed stone to block water inflows and stabilise the tunnel. Vajira Hospital suspended outpatient services until Thursday, though emergency care and surgeries continued. A nearby police station and surrounding homes were evacuated, with officers relocating to a temporary base 2.4 km away.
Threat to Buildings and Residents
Authorities confirmed the hospital’s structure remains safe due to reinforced concrete walls, but the new Samsen police station is at risk after soil under two of its pillars gave way. Around 20 households were evacuated, with elderly and bedridden residents assisted by emergency teams.
Voices from the Scene
Local residents described the terrifying moment of collapse. One hospital worker said he awoke to “a rumbling sound like an electricity pole falling” that shook his entire apartment. Staff at nearby Suan Dusit University reported being frightened, with the campus shifting to online classes as a precaution.
Government Oversight and Long Repairs Ahead
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene and urged swift stabilisation, warning that repairs to the tunnel and road may take at least a year. The MRTA has launched a full investigation into the incident, while engineers continue monitoring soil stability to prevent further landslides.
The Bangkok sinkhole highlights the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure under heavy strain from construction and weather extremes. For Southeast Asian cities like Singapore and Jakarta, the crisis serves as a warning of how engineering failures can disrupt public trust, endanger lives, and paralyse essential services for months to come.
Sources: CNA (2025) , The Guardian (2025) , Malay Mail (2025)
Keywords: Bangkok Sinkhole, Vajira Hospital, MRT Tunnel Collapse, Thailand Prime Minister, Sandbags Stabilisation, Dusit District
