Buildings are evacuated and transport rerouted as a large sinkhole closes a major intersection in downtown Ottawa.
A large sinkhole has shut down part of the Canadian capital, Ottawa.
A number of buildings were evacuated and traffic diverted
after the massive hole opened up in a busy area of downtown Ottawa, just
a few streets from the Canadian parliament.There are no reports of injuries or missing people, however, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation showed footage of a van parked on the side of the road falling into the hole.
Officials said buildings, including a shopping centre and a book shop, remain closed after the smell of gas was reported.
Witness Tom Herlihy said: "I heard the initial rush of air as the gas line erupted and started shooting the high pressure gas into the air ... then immediately thereafter we heard the police sirens and the fire trucks and even Hydro (Hydro Electricity) showing up to clear the area."
All leaks have since been contained.
Water, which could be seen gushing inside the sinkhole at one point, has also been shut off, while power remains out in the area.
The road collapse occurred at Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, which has been under construction for Ottawa's new light-rail transit (LRT) system.
City officials say it is too early to say if the work was related to the sinkhole's appearance
"It's premature at this point to make the connection to LRT, although that could very well be the possibility," Mayor Jim Watson told a news conference.
It is the second sinkhole to open up in downtown Ottawa in as many years.
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