Motorcyclist who fell into Seoul sinkhole found dead after search

A motorcyclist who fell into a cavernous sinkhole that opened on a Seoul street was found dead after an overnight search, officials in South Korea’s capital said Tuesday.

The roughly 20-metre-wide, 20-metre-deep sinkhole appeared at an intersection in the Myeongil-dong neighbourhood in eastern Seoul on Monday afternoon, swallowing the motorcyclist and injuring a woman whose van was passing over the site, according to safety and emergency offices.

The motorcyclist, who was in his 30s, was found before noon on Tuesday, emergency officer Kim Chang Seob told a televised briefing.

Rescue authorities inspect a sinkhole on an intersection in Seoul. (AP)

<p>South Australian police have released stunning images of their officers diving to great depths inside some of the state’s deepest underwater sink holes.</p><p>Ten members of the South Australian Police Water Operations team documented their descent into the murky waters of ‘Kilsbys Sinkhole’ and ‘The Shaft’ near Mount Gambier, two sinkholes that are renowned for their depth and water clarity.</p><p>Pictures from underneath the surface reveal an otherworldly landscape, a desolate and hostile world that is only occasionally illuminated by bright beams of sunlight from above.</p><p>Kilsbys Sinkhole is approximately 65 metres deep, while ‘The Shaft’ drops to an almost unimaginable 120 metres.  </p><p>Police divers are often deployed to search for missing people, often in deep water locations. Divers may also be instructed to search for weapons in areas of zero visibility.</p><p>Tap through the gallery to see the remarkable images and video. </p>

IN PICTURES: The terrifying underwater sinkholes used for police diver training

Kim said the man was found wearing a helmet and motorcycle boots, and that rescue workers found his Japanese-made motorcycle and mobile phone before reaching his body.

Kim said rescuers used excavators, shovels and other equipment to find him.

He said the injured woman didn’t fall into the sinkhole and she sustained minor injuries.

The cause of the sinkhole was under investigation.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the site on Monday night and asked authorities to find why the sinkhole happened and prevent recurrences of similar incidents.