LOOK: Giant Sinkhole in China Swallows Passersby, Child Goes Missing

A mortifying incident in China has left pedestrians fearing for their life when a giant sinkhole appeared in a middle of Henan in China, swallowing passersby and one child.

According to local reports, a sinkhole swallowed at least four passersby on Monday in the capital of central Henan province in Zhengzhou. The sinkhole, which is estimated to be around 45 meters deep and 30 meters wide, appeared after the heavy rains at around 7 p.m. on the same day.

Of the four people swallowed by the sinkhole, two have been found while the other half remains missing. A video uploaded by People's Daily in China show rescuers using a thick rope to pull out a man and woman from the hole.

Citing a report from Henan Business Daily, South China Morning Post said one of the rescuers recalled that before the sinkhole appeared, cracks were already visible on the road surface. The rescuer added that it took only five minutes before the crack opened up to a terrifying hole.

Aside from people, some vehicles also fell into the pit.

This is not the first time sinkholes have appeared in China. Last year, another sidewalk sinkhole swallowed up to five pedestrians in the provincial capital of Harbin. The dramatic moment was captured in a video. It showed three people falling straight into it while one woman tried to hold on to a pipe, National Post reported.

Sink holes, according to Live Science, are pits in the ground that form in areas where water gathers without external drainage. Water builds up in the rock, usually composed of evaporites and carbonates, which gradually erodes it until it collapses. In most cases, sinkholes are formed gradually but in some, they are formed abruptly.

Humans can also be responsible for sinkholes. Activities such as mining, drilling and broken pipes can trigger its formation.

Independent UK said the most basic thing you can do when sinkhole suddenly appears in to stay off the area and immediately vacate the surroundings properties.