As reported by Lao Dong Newspaper, from the end of March 2025 to present, in Kim Lu commune (Na Ri, Bac Kan), there have been consecutive cases of subsidence, creating deep holes, posing a potential risk of insecurity.
Informing reporters, Mr. Truong Quang Trong - Chairman of Kim Lu Commune People's Committee - confirmed that as of the end of May, the commune had recorded at least 7 locations of subsidence and cracks along with a complex underground system underground.
Among them, there is a deep hole in the middle of National Highway 3B that caused a resident to fall on the evening of May 26 and has not yet been found.
The lack of identification of the victim's location and complex geological developments have made many households living near the area worried and insecure.
On June 1, speaking with reporters, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Nam - Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Karst and Geological Heritage (Institute of Geological Sciences and Mineral Resources) - said that a field survey should be conducted to determine the exact cause.
The Institute's leader also proposed 5 main scenarios for subsidence, including: the existence of a cave system under limestone; the impact of geological fractures; the impact of prolonged heavy rain; excessive underground water exploitation and the load from national highways.
In particular, the phenomenon of water receding and rising simultaneously at neighboring pits shows the possibility of the existence of connecting underground cavities. If these structures become unstable, they can cause unexpected land subsidence.
Notably, the expert also mentioned the suspicion of there being a possibility of illegal gold mining in the area in the past.
"It is necessary to verify whether there were underground mines that were not filled in before. Such void areas are often the underlying cause of sudden subsidence, said Mr. Nam.
Currently, the area around the sinkhole has been cordoned off, fenced off and people coming and going are controlled. The authorities are deploying many measures to search for the missing victims.
In addition, the work of ensuring safety for residential areas and vehicles is being urgently deployed by competent authorities.
As reported by Lao Dong Newspaper, at around 9:34 p.m. on May 26, at the subsidence point on National Highway 3B through Hiep Luc village, Kim Lu commune (Na Ri, Bac Kan), a motorbike driver fell down a barrier and fell into a deep hole.
The identity of the missing person was identified as Mr. Nguyen Duy Ph. (born in 1989, residing in Kim Hy commune, Na Ri district).
