Some areas in the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong are facing serious land subsidence, possibly due to quarrying and a natural weathering process in limestone landscapes.

By Tuesday, a giant pit, measuring three meters deep and hundreds of square meters wide, had formed in Village 9, An Son Commune, Thuy Nguyen District, damaging roads and swallowing numerous plants cultivated by local households.

Land subsidence continued worsening in the village as the pit kept expanding, threating human lives and the property of nearby households, a representative of Thuy Nguyen District said on Tuesday.

Local authorities have planted warning signs in vulnerable areas and asked a family to evacuate to a safe place.

At the end of October, land subsidence gave rise to the pit, which measured one to 1.25 meters deep at that time, on a key road section in the village.

Some residents attributed the road subsidence to underground water as it used to lie next to the Con River.

Besides, the sinking area is close to a quarry, with mines possibly used during the exploitation.

After a survey, a working group of Thuy Nguyen District identified the cause as weathering, which usually takes place in limestone landscapes.

Hai Phong City’s government has asked the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with relevant units to find out the main reason for such subsidence and suggest solutions.

Thuy Nguyen District’s officials are tasked with keeping local people safe and sound.

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