A massive sinkhole abruptly opened on a busy Shanghai street on February 11, swallowing a large section of roadway near an active metro construction site. The collapse caught residents and commuters off guard as the tarmac cracked and sank, leaving a deep crater that halted traffic and drew emergency crews to the scene.
Dramatic video footage circulating online shows the road surface falling into a wide cavity within moments, highlighting the sudden and severe nature of the collapse.
Shanghai Sinkhole: CCTV Footage Shows Moments Before & After Collapse | Watch
CCTV and bystander videos from the incident at Qixin Road and Li’an Road in Shanghai’s Minhang District captured the terrifying moment the pavement buckled without warning. In the footage, cracks quickly spread across the road before the surface gave way entirely, leaving a gaping hole and sending debris tumbling into the void. Bystanders and vehicles near the site scrambled to safety as the ground collapsed underfoot.
🇨🇳 Massive Sinkhole Suddenly Swallows Large Stretch of Roadway in Shanghai, China pic.twitter.com/HfZr1gb4Hz
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) February 12, 2026
Local authorities confirmed that no one was injured during the collapse. The timing of the event, occurring near an active construction zone, and the presence of workers nearby prompted lucky escapes and quick evacuations.
Shanghai Sinkhole:Â Location & Cause of the Road Collapse
The sinkhole emerged close to the construction area for the Jiamin Line of Shanghai’s expanding metro system. A water leak reported the day before at the construction site likely contributed to weakened soil beneath the road, leading to the sudden collapse when the ground could no longer support the weight of the pavement above.
Emergency crews from the China Railway Tunnel Bureau and local teams responded swiftly, closing nearby roads and erecting barriers to prevent further danger. Authorities are working to secure the site and prevent secondary collapses as engineers assess the stability of the surrounding area.
Shanghai Sinkhole:Â How Emergency Teams Are Responding?
In the hours after the sinkhole formed, workers cordoned off a wide perimeter around the affected intersection. Heavy equipment, including excavators and pumps, arrived to support stabilization efforts and investigate underground conditions. Local officials warned that the damaged section of Qixin Road will remain closed until it is fully safe for traffic and pedestrians.
The swift emergency response helped ensure no injuries occurred despite the dramatic nature of the collapse. Residents and commuters were rerouted, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while assessing repair timelines.
Shanghai Sinkhole:Â Why Do Such Sinkholes Happen?
Urban geologists note that parts of Shanghai are naturally prone to subsidence because of soft alluvial soil and extensive underground development. Rapid construction, groundwater extraction, and underground infrastructure changes can weaken the earth beneath roadways, increasing the risk of sudden collapses like the one seen this week.
Experts point out that unusually high soil moisture, combined with infrastructure stress from metro construction, can create underground voids. When those voids grow large enough, the ground above can give way, forming a sinkhole in seconds.
Shanghai Sinkhole:Â Public Reaction & Viral Video Spread
The dramatic video of the Shanghai sinkhole has spread widely across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing shock and concern about urban infrastructure safety. Some footage shows the rapid expansion of the crater and nearby vehicles stopping just in time before the roadway gave way.
Despite initial skepticism about the authenticity of some clips, authorities and local reports confirmed that the collapse is real and not digitally altered. Officials matched the viral footage with official descriptions of the collapse near the metro construction site.
Shanghai Sinkhole:Â Impact on Traffic & Urban Infrastructure
The sinkhole has disrupted traffic in the surrounding Minhang District, forcing road closures and detours as emergency crews manage the aftermath. Nearby construction work has been temporarily paused while engineers evaluate the ground conditions and repair requirements.
City officials have pledged to enhance monitoring of vulnerable road segments in the future and to review safety protocols around large infrastructure projects. The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining urban stability in rapidly developing megacities like Shanghai.
Sinkholes and Urban Risk: What Residents Need to Know
While the recent collapse caused no injuries, it highlights hidden risks beneath fast-growing cityscapes. Urban residents are reminded that major development and shifting underground conditions can sometimes produce unexpected ground failures.
Experts recommend continued investment in ground-stability surveys and improved infrastructure maintenance to prevent future sinkholes in metropolitan centres.
