A sinkhole on a street in Dazhou City, located in China's Sichuan province, opened up and collapsed, taking down four pedestrians with two declared dead.

Video of the October 7 incident shows the passerbys falling into the 10 square-metre sinkhole. According to the surveillance footage, the incident happened just before 2:30 pm.

The rescue proved difficult due to a network of underground pipes beneath the street, requiring the use of heavy mechanical equipment. Local media reported that fire officials suffered a second collapse during the rescue, but were aided to safety as they were harnessed with safety ropes.

Authorities are continuing their search and rescue operations for the two other pedestrians who have not been found.

四川达州市达川区路面塌陷事故正在紧张救援中。

据达州市达川区外宣办发布消息，2018年10月7日下午2时30分左右，达州市达川区东环南路103号人行道发生跨塌，塌陷面积约10平方米。

监控视频显示，事发时现场下着雨，不断有行人撑伞经过该路段，疑似有4人掉入坑中。

另外从达川区外宣办获悉，因救援现场地下管网复杂，救援难度大，已加派大型机械设备投入救援。

据当地媒体报道，救援过程中，消防官兵遭遇了二次塌陷险情。所幸遇险消防官兵均系有安全绳，在二次塌陷瞬间即被迅速救起。

经过消防官兵的全力搜救，10月8日00:10，发现一名女性被困人员，在送往医院途中抢救无效死亡。10月8日9:36，救援人员在作业区内再次发现一名被困人员，经抢救无效死亡。坑内疑似还有2名被困人员。

目前，搜救作业范围较昨日不断扩大，救援工作仍在紧张有序进行。一名现场目击者告诉南都记者，挖机还在持续挖掘救援中，事发路段目前实行单向通行。