[WATCH] Giant sinkhole swallows car killing family of 5 and a friend

A massive sinkhole suddenly appeared in the middle of a highway near the Crimean capital of Simferofol on Saturday night swallowing a car with 8 people and killing 6 of them, including twin boys aged 3.

Local authorities identified the victims as Ibrail Eskandarov, 33, the driver and the father; his 33-year-old wife Eskandarova, 16-year-old daughter Aliye and twin son, Asan and Muslim.

Also killed was a family friend, Salimova Asiye, 37. Her two children, Serim, 1, and Levida, 12, were the only survivors of the freak accident. They were taken to the nearby hospital and are under close observation after suffering serious injuries.

The infant reportedly sustained serious head injury and remains in coma while the girl has multiple body fractures. They are said to be under intensive care.

Rescuers who responded to the scene described the gaping circular hole as almost six meters deep and eight meters in diameter.

Witnesses told the police that the sinkhole suddenly appeared in front of the cruising vehicle in the middle of the road surprising its driver and giving him little time to veer away from the hole’s mouth.

Emergency personnel also had difficulties in the rescue operation as the electric power cables were ripped off, cutting the electricity and worsening the darkness in the area.

Emergencies ministry spokesman in the region said it is impossible for the car to avoid the hole since it was located in an area with no street lights. The agency also believed all six victims may have died on impact as can be seen from the wreckage of the car.

At least 16 emergency vehicles and 43 rescue workers were immediately dispatched to the scene of the accident. Police are still investigating as to what may have caused for the earth below the road pavement to collapse.