Sinkhole Swallows Cars in Ventura, California

Sinkhole Swallows Cars in Ventura Parking Lot A massive sinkhole opened up in a Ventura, California, parking lot on Thursday evening, May 29, 2025, swallowing several vehicles near a construction site. The incident occurred at the intersection of E. Front Street and S. Kalorama Street, across from The Wharf shopping center. Construction crews had been working at the site for approximately a week, having discovered a water well on the property shortly before commencing work. "Oh my god!" one eyewitness, Tron Elliott, exclaimed in a video he captured of the event. The footage shows the asphalt cracking before giving way, sending several cars into the gaping hole. The video also shows the aftermath with various debris and the extent of the damage to the ground. Another eyewitness, whose name has not been released, reported hearing a loud cracking sound before the ground collapsed. "It happened so fast," the eyewitness stated, "It was like something out of a movie." Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the sinkhole. Initial reports suggest the water well may have played a role in the collapse. Emergency crews are on the scene, and the extent of the damage is still being assessed. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of geological events and the importance of thorough site assessments before large-scale construction projects.