Updated 06:00 | Published at 2:44 am
A huge sinkhole has destroyed the E6 at Stenungsund.
Three people were injured when several vehicles drove down the destroyed road.
Late last night everyone was urged to avoid the area – due to the risk of more landslides.
The alarm came in to the emergency services at 01:47.
A huge sinkhole had suddenly opened and destroyed the E6 in both directions at Stenungsundsmotet.
– The first person who called in stood and tried to stop the traffic and prevent others from driving into the hole, says Niclas Fogelqvist, alarm and command officer at the greater Gothenburg rescue service.
Several vehicles down the hole
At 03:00, the sinkhole was estimated to be upwards of 250 meters in diameter. There was also then information that the road may have collapsed in other places nearby.
According to the rescue service’s information, a total of four vehicles and a bus managed to drive down the hole before the traffic could be stopped.
According to the police, three people have been injured.
– Three injured have been taken to hospital, says Fredrik Flyberg, duty officer at the police, to TT.
According to the rescue service, it cannot be ruled out that further landslides may occur. Road users and the public are asked to avoid the area, writes TT.
The police assess that the impact on traffic will be “enormous” for a long time to come.
The hole also took a Burger King restaurant with it at the entrance to Stenungsund.
– There is information that the building may have cracked, says Niclas Fogelqvist.
It has rained a lot
The emergency services are in places with many units. A larger number of police patrols also participate in the work.
The road is completely closed in both directions.
There is no information yet on what may have caused the dramatic event.
– But it must have rained a lot at the site before the road was destroyed, says Niclas Fogelqvist.
E6 is completely closed from Stenungsundsmotet to Ödmålsbron and traffic is diverted via road 650, according to the Swedish Transport Administration.