Citizens observed a sudden sinkhole in the ground in the village of Al-Hamdlab Al-Shukriya, east of Al-Jazirah State in Sudan, which raised questions and concerns.
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Meanwhile, the General Authority for Geological Research explained that the phenomenon is scientifically known as a sinkhole, which is a condition in which a rapid subsidence or collapse of the Earth's surface occurs as a result of the movement or drift of soft materials in the subsurface layers.
The authority confirmed that ground sinkholes are a globally known geological phenomenon, but determining the cause of their occurrence in a particular location requires a field inspection and a geological and hydrogeological study of the area, including the nature of the rocks and soil, groundwater levels, rainwater drainage patterns, and factors affecting the stability of subsurface layers.
In this context, geologist Hamad Bashir said that sudden ground sinkholes or sudden subsidence of the Earth's crust may arise as a result of natural and human factors that lead to the loss of the bearing capacity of the soil or rocks below the surface, in addition to the melting of rocks and limestone or salt formations by groundwater.
He explained that among the natural factors that contribute to its occurrence are tectonic activity and soil shrinkage, in addition to human factors, most notably the intensive extraction of groundwater, which may lead to changes in soil structure and the formation of voids below the earth's surface.
He also pointed out that the risks of this phenomenon are not limited to the Earth's surface, but may extend to buildings, roads, water and gas networks and various infrastructure components.
In turn, geologist Mohammed Abdulrahman Aqeed explained that rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere and soil, especially that resulting from the decomposition of organic materials, thus forming quantities of carbonic acid.
He explained that as this water seeps through cracks into the ground, it reacts with rocks rich in calcium carbonate, especially limestone and dolomite, which may gradually lead to the dissolution of parts of them and the formation of cavities below the surface, which in some cases may end with a sudden subsidence of the ground surface.
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Egypt: 16 dead and 28 injured in a horrific accident in South Sinai
Sixteen people were killed and 28 others were injured on Wednesday when a passenger bus overturned in South Sinai.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health said that the accident occurred on a road linking the cities of Dahab and Nuweiba, noting that twenty ambulances were dispatched to the scene of the accident and the injured were transported to receive the necessary medical care.
South Sinai Governorate is a popular tourist destination with numerous resorts overlooking the Red Sea. Last month, 15 people were killed and 32 others injured in a traffic accident in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt.
According to data issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the number of deaths from road accidents in the country, including car and train accidents, increased by 10.8 percent during 2025 to 5,829, compared to 5,260 in 2024.
Road accident experts in Egypt attribute the poor condition of some roads, dilapidated vehicles, and failure to adhere to traffic rules, while officials maintain that human error is the primary cause of accidents, despite the extensive efforts undertaken by authorities to develop the road and railway network.
