GEORGE TOWN: A 3m-deep sinkhole has appeared in a residential area in Bayan Lepas.
The sinkhole, a few feet wide and filled with water, formed along Lebuh Bukit Kecil 3.
It was discovered when a school bus drove over it, causing one of its rear tyres to get stuck around 8am on Wednesday (Oct 16).
It was reported that the sinkhole may have been caused by a burst Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) pipe, as a bad odour was detected.
Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol, who visited the site, expressed his shock at the road's subsidence.
"I was informed that a burst underground IWK pipe may have caused water to flow beneath the road," he said, adding that a bad odour was detected.
Fahmi noted that this was the first incident of its kind.
He mentioned that if IWK is responsible, they would engage contractors to repair it.
"They will review CCTV footage in the area to determine the cause and proceed from there. It appears the soil has eroded and the surrounding area is unstable. Barriers have been set up and that section has been cordoned off from traffic until repairs are completed," he added.
