GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia - A stretch of road leading to the popular tourist spot of Batu Ferringhi here sank by about 5m, causing one lane of the 15m stretch of road near Moonlight Bay to be closed to traffic.

Fortunately, nobody was injured when the stretch sank at 9.40am yesterday due to a burst water pipe.

The Public Works Department (PWD) immediately deployed seven workers to carry out repairs.

A PWD maintenance worker had earlier noticed a hairline crack on a water pipe next to the road at about 8.30am.

He immediately alerted his superior but the cracks became bigger an hour later and the pipe burst, washing earth, rocks and gravel down the slope. A tree also toppled over.

A motorist who declined to be named said he hoped the stretch could be repaired quickly.

"If the road is closed, we will have to make a big detour via Balik Balik to reach Teluk Bahang or Batu Feringghi," he said.

Another motorist, who wished to be known only as Steven, said he feared the whole road might crumble if immediate action was not taken.

Penang PWD director Shahawai Awang said remedial work was being carried out.

He said the road sank because of the burst water pipe. He was unsure when the repairs could be completed.

THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK