Foresight, accountability can forestall sinkholes

According to initial information released by the local authorities, six people are dead, 10 missing, and 16 injured after a huge sinkhole engulfed a bus and pedestrians on Monday evening near a hospital on a busy street in Xining, Qinghai province.

Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing. So is an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

While hoping for the safe rescue of those who are missing, we urge urban public utilities authorities across the country to check the conditions of the underground infrastructure in their cities, and take necessary precautions as required to limit the chances of such tragedies occurring as much as possible.