Photos: Giant sinkhole consumes cars in Naples hospital parking lot

Operations weren't affected and firefighters said it didn't appear anyone was injured

Last updated: January 08, 2021 | 17:47

AP and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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Rome: A giant sinkhole opened Friday in the parking lot of a hospital in Naples, Italy, forcing the temporary closure of a nearby residence for recovering COVID-19 patients because the electricity was cut.

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Operations weren't affected at the Hospital of the Sea, and firefighters said it didn't appear anyone was injured.

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The sinkhole consumed a few cars in the hospital's otherwise empty visitors' parking lot.

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The local hospital district said the 20-meter-deep (66 feet), 2,000-square-meter (21,527-square-foot) sinkhole opened at dawn.

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Chief firefighter Cmdr. Ennio Aquilino told Italian television channel SkyTG 24 the implosion could have been caused by an infiltration of water underground as a result of recent heavy rains.

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News reports quoted the regional governor as saying the COVID-19 residence would reopen within days after electricity and water service were restored.

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Both were also interrupted at the hospital, but backup systems allowed care to continue.

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A view of the large sinkhole that opened overnight in the parking of Ospedale del Mare hospital in Naples, Italy

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