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30-metre deep sinkhole triggers blackouts in Japan

A five-lane road has caved in near a major railway station in southern Japan, forcing authorities to block off nearby areas.

The massive sinkhole opened up in the south-western city of Fukuoka at 5.15am local time on Tuesday, and kept growing.

A large sinkhole cuts off an avenue in central Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. Picture: Getty
A large sinkhole cuts off an avenue in central Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. Picture: Getty
The road collapse caused blackouts and disrupted traffic. Picture: Reuters
The road collapse caused blackouts and disrupted traffic. Picture: Reuters

Near Hakata Station, the biggest station on the southern island of Kyushu, the main road caved in, causing a hole 27 metres wide and 30 metres long.

By mid-morning, water from broken pipelines flooded into the 20-metre deep cavity.

It caused widespread disruptions to local electricity, water and gas supplies, and also disrupted traffic near the site broadcaster NHK reported.

The sinkhole prompted Japanese authorities to evacuate nearby buildings as a safety precaution.

Local authorities suspected the cause was linked to ongoing construction work for an underground rail system.

The hole flooded with water 20-metres deep by mid-morning. Picture: AAP
The hole flooded with water 20-metres deep by mid-morning. Picture: AAP
Authorities have evacuated surrounding buildings in the event of further damage. Picture: Twitter/Kinkakuji09
Authorities have evacuated surrounding buildings in the event of further damage. Picture: Twitter/Kinkakuji09

No injuries were reported.

A local worker told Kyodo's news agency: “The electricity went off suddenly and I head a loud boom.

“I went outside and saw a huge hole.”

Another witness worker said: “The road has collapsed near my office and now I can’t go to work because we’ve been told to evacuate.”