Sinkhole linked to sewage shaft failure; safety time-out called

A concrete structure in a shaft being built at a PUB worksite along Tanjong Katong Road South failed at around 5.50pm on July 26, said PUB.

- Shabana Begum

At around the same time, a sinkhole formed on the road next to the site, swallowing a black car. The driver managed to get out of the vehicle on her own and was rescued by construction workers.

PUB said the works at the site next to the sinkhole that formed involved the construction of a 16m-deep shaft to connect three existing sewer lines. It is still not clear what contributed to the failure of the caisson ring, the national water agency added in a statement issued on the night of July 27.

As a precautionary measure, PUB will be calling a safety time-out to review and ensure the safety of similar sewer construction works across Singapore.

The shaft has been backfilled to stabilise the surrounding ground, PUB said.