A huge 30ft sinkhole swallowed six cars and saw 20 families flee their homes in a residential area of Rome today.
The gigantic ground collapse happened at around 5.30pm in the Italian capital's Baldunia neighbourhood, between via Livio Andronico and via Lattanzio.
Dramatic images show the extent of the road damage after the surface spontaneously crumbled.
Two fire squads were scrambled to the scene in the north west of Rome, ordering the evacuation of around 20 households as a precautionary measure.
No one was injured and the families will be put up in hotels if they can not get back in tonight, Mayor Virginia Raggi told Rome today
Workers carried out repairs in the area between January 25 and 28 after a large water spill.
At least six vehicles were swept away in the rubble which sent them plunging into the hole 30ft deep and 50ft wide.
Two nearby buildings were evacuated due to the collapse as emergency services attended the scene.
Firefighters attended the scene to make the area safe – but the reasons for the collapse are still unknown.
Luckily, no one was injured in what could have been a major disaster.Witnesses feared workmen in the neighbouring building site had been crushed by the falling rubble, local media reports.
Investigations discovered all the builders were safe and accounted for after the collapse.
Three buildings are being constructed on the site, two for residential use and one office block.
Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi has inspected the scene and assured everyone will be housed if they cannot return to their homes.She said up to 60 people have been evacuated and the area is being seized by investigators to find out why the collapse happened.
Residents had been protesting the building site for months, and Major Raggi suggested there could be a criminal prosecution.
She said: "The responsibilities will be ascertained with the consequences of the case, the area is seized by the judiciary.
"Who is responsible will have to pay.”
Earlier this week, a huge sinkhole opened up in Round Rock, Texas – leading to the discovery of a subterranean cave system.
