A huge well was opened in southern Italy on Friday, swallowing at least three cars and briefly cutting power at a nearby hospital, officials said.
Neighborhood homes, including one for recovering patients from Covid-19, were evacuated, but there appeared to be no injuries from the crater in Naples, officials said.
The Covid-19 residence was home to six patients and they were relocated, officials said.
The drain opened under the almost empty visitor parking at the Hospital of the Sea. The electricity and water service was interrupted briefly, but backup systems allowed operations to continue.
“Frankly, we were also concerned about the collapse of all utilities and that the hospital’s activity could be hampered,” said regional governor Vincenzo De Luca.
“Thank God that didn’t happen. We had a power cut, but the electricity was restored and now we have no problem with it. “
The 21,527-square-foot hole was about 66 feet deep.
“The rainwater in these last few days is almost certain to have caused the infiltration that resulted in the collapse,” said the fire chief. Ennio Aquilino told Sky News. “There will be new technical inspections, but the main hypothesis is this.”
The Associated Press contributed.