Japan's Mega Sinkhole Repaired Just a Week

FUKUOKA - Authorities in Japan have given a lesson in efficiency by fixing a huge sinkhole in just one week. The gaping chasm measured around 30 metres wide and 15 metres deep, yet now the road is completely reopened. The street reopened at 5am on Tuesday.

The busy road pictured last week (left) and today (right) after crews worked around the clock to ensure it opened again seven days after collapsing. Many people have expressed their amazement at the fast repair work.

What a difference a week makes: The five-land stretch of road today (left) and in the aftermath of the collapse.

Construction teams in Fukuoka, in the southwest of the country, worked around the clock, dumping huge amounts of wet cement and sand into the huge hole and fixing electricity, gas and water lines. It is thought the road collapsed because subway construction exposed support columns of nearby buildings.

"We're very sorry for causing great trouble," The city's mayor, Soichiro Takashima said.

Massive problem: Nearby buildings had to be evacuated as a result of the road collapse

Miraculously, no one was hurt when the road collapsed in Fukuoka, which is the biggest city on the southernmost main island of Kyushu.

Many on social media expressed amazement at the quick recovery.

"I'm surprised the road reopened in a week!" one Twitter user said.

"Impressive. That was fast," said another.

The massive cave-in appeared in the city's bustling Hakata district, a major business and entertainment centre, with muddy underground water flowing into the hole. It happened in the business district of the city of Fukuoka

"I saw a stop light fall. It was really scary," one man told Fuji TV after it happened.

The sinkhole is believed to be about 40 feet wide and 25-30 feet deep.