Locals are worried they could lose their homes after a massive sinkhole appeared in a housing estate. Around 30 homes have been evacuated.
The sinkhole appeared on Sunday, December 1, in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales when a driveway partially collapsed just metres away from a home. Spectacular images have since emerged of the giant hole.
Multiple officials are dealing with the aftermath. Bus services have had to be diverted and a stretch of the road has been cordoned off to keep people away from the large hole.
Council workers and police officers were on site all day on Sunday, with people being warned to avoid the area. One local resident said a drone had been flown over the hole and they estimated the depth at 40 to 50ft.
He said he heard very large falls of debris into what sounded like a fast-flowing stream. Stephen Regan, 55, moved into his house a year ago and told the BBC he is worried he could lose his home. “It was very scary, you could hear it rumbling and collapsing when it was happening,” he said.
“I just want to get back in the house but we don’t know what the situation is at the moment. My fear is my house could go… I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”
Because of the size, around 30 homes in the cul-de-sac in Nant Morlais, in Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, were told to evacuate. People are still being urged to avoid the area. South Wales Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue officers and council workers have been in attendance. However so far, no information has been given about when it will be safe for residents to return to their homes.
Local councillor David Hughes told the BBC it was believed a culvert had collapsed. Wales Online reports that it’s currently understood the first signs of the sinkhole started appearing on Saturday afternoon and measured a few feet. However, by Sunday morning it had completely collapsed, creating a huge concave with water and electrical wires exposed within the sinkhole.
In a statement, Merthyr Tydfil Council warned residents to stay away from the area. “Council officers and police have been onsite at Nant Morlais, Pant, all morning working with other agencies at the site of a sinkhole,” the statement said.
“No further help or support is needed at this time but thank you to everyone who has offered it. Safety is our main priority. To allow engineers to keep working safely, please stay away from the area.”
On Sunday afternoon, a statement from police said: “South Wales Police are dealing with a incident on Nant Morlais, Pant, Merthyr. The road is currently closed in both directions. Please avoid the area.”