Landslide Causes Large Chunk of Motorway in Sweden to Collapse

On Saturday, a section of highway more than 100 meters long collapsed near the southwestern city of Gothenburg, in Sweden, overturning cars and causing three people to suffer minor injuries, according to emergency services and police.

An investigation has been opened to determine the possible connection to a nearby construction site.

The landslide "caused damage to about ten vehicles and an area including a forest and a commercial area with a gas station and a fast-food restaurant," Daniel Licklid, Gothenburg's director of emergency services, said in a press release.

Emergency services indicated that the most affected area extends about 100 meters in length and 150 meters in width, but the total landslide affected an area of about 700 meters in length and 200 meters in width.

A police spokesman said three people were taken to hospital with “minor injuries” following the collapse that occurred in Stennongsund, about 50 kilometers north of Gothenburg.

Pictures published by local media showed a large hole extending for more than 100 metres, many damaged and overturned trucks, and a bus that fell into the hole.

"Several individuals required the assistance of firefighters and helicopters to exit their vehicles in the landslide area," emergency services reported.

The collapse occurred shortly before 2:00 a.m. local time.