Landslide causes large part of Swedish motorway to collapse

A landslide that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, September 23, caused the collapse of a large part of the E6 motorway in Sweden.

Furthermore, the E6 connects the Swedish city of Gothenburg to the Norwegian capital of Oslo, and the event took place near a small town called Stenungsund, located about 50 kilometers north of Gothenburg.

A total area of about 700 by 200 meters was affected, while the worst hit area of the site measured 150 by 100 meters.

According to the police, at least four cars and a bus skidded off the road, resulting in three people being treated in the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Reports were also made about several buildings and infrastructure, including a restaurant, being damaged in the event.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, after being alerted at about 1:45 am, while the Gothenburg Rescue Services reported that several people were helped out of their vehicles by fire personnel and a helicopter.

As for the reasons behind the landside’s occurrence, it was stated by Swedish media that construction of a new business park had been ongoing on a nearby site, involving blasting and excavation work. Drone footage showed a crack forming on the motorway near the site after its construction commenced.

In addition to this, days of rain had preceded the landslide, while a preliminary investigation has been launched by the Swedish police to determine the exact causes leading to the event.