Eight-Meter Sinkhole from L9 Metro Works Forces Evacuation in Barcelona

A sinkhole of approximately eight meters in diameter opened suddenly in a courtyard in Barcelona's Putxet neighborhood on Tuesday, forcing the preventive evacuation of up to five buildings. No injuries were reported. Source: lavanguardia

The Incident

The sinkhole appeared around 11:00 am in an interior patio at 4 Rubinstein Street, affecting nearby buildings at Rubinstein 2, 4, 6 and Teodora Lamadrid 1, 3 (and possibly 5). Source: elmundoes Twenty-three people were evacuated as a precaution. The hole measured 8 meters across and 4 meters deep, swallowing a small storage room and part of a restaurant's bathroom. Source: lavanguardia

Cause and Response

Technicians attribute the sinkhole to excavation work for the L9 metro line, though the tunnel boring machine had already passed the area. Source: elmundoes Firefighters are stabilizing the cavity by injecting concrete. Source: abces Mayor Jaume Collboni, along with regional ministers, held an emergency meeting. Source: lavanguardia

Comparisons and Reassurance

Laura Carrasco, head of Geotechnics for the Generalitat, stated the sinkhole "cannot evolve further" and that it is completely different from the 2005 Carmel collapse, noting the tunnel's 12-meter metal shield prevents large collapses. Source: abces Residents expressed anger, recalling previous cracks reported to the city council. Source: lavanguardia