The landslide started at 01.20 on the night of Saturday, according to information on Stenungsund municipality’s website. At 01.46 the first alarm came to SOS Alarm.
The landslide has led to extensive damage on the E6 at Stenungsundsmotet. The road is described as completely destroyed in both directions and a large crack in the ground runs across the landscape, from one side of the road to the other.
According to the Greater Gothenburg rescue service, the hardest hit parts of the landslide area are around 150 by 100 metres. In total, the landslide has affected an area of approximately 700 by 200 metres.
The public is asked to stay away from the area as it is not yet known if there is a risk of multiple landslides. Large roadblocks have been set up and traffic is being diverted via route 650.
About ten cars must have driven over the razed edge and got stuck. Three people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
On site in the area were around ten lorry drivers who had parked their lorries there during the night. They describe a shocking situation where they woke up to loud noises and saw the ground moving.
Within the worst affected area is a Preem pub, a Burger King restaurant, a car wash and a Byggmax department store. Pictures from the scene show how parts of the Burger King roof have collapsed.
Adjacent is also a construction site where blasting has previously been carried out. The police have started a preliminary investigation into serious devastation to the general public to investigate connections to the landslide.
According to experts, there is a lot of quick clay in the area. Clay that can move in the event of, for example, rain or vibrations. Quick clay is found in large parts of Western Sweden.