Large sinkhole opens up in downtown Baku

A 150 square-metre section of Jalil Mammadguluzade Street, near the city centre of Baku, sank by four metres on the night of 15 July.

Several vehicles that were on the road at the time of the incident were damaged, but according to Report.az no one was injured.

The video shows a driver of a damaged vehicle putting up signs to warn others.

New pipes were being laid under the road on the eve of the incident, hence the signs used by the driver. Initially some thought that the sinkhole appeared as a result of the roadworks, though others thought it was due to a subway tunnel which is under construction in the area.

However, the Agency of Highways conducted an excavation and found a cavity at a depth of 5-6 metres under the site. This was presumably a foundation or walls of a once-standing building which was not completely demolished. According to the agency, this is what caused the sinkhole.

According to those who regularly make use of the road, it has been in a deplorable condition for a long time. The road was built about eight years ago when construction started on the new subway.