Giant sinkhole opens up in middle of busy Brooklyn intersection

An enormous sinkhole has swallowed up part of an intersection in Brooklyn, causing traffic chaos.

The sinkhole reportedly measures around six metres wide and six metres deep, and opened up on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 64th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn yesterday morning.

Authorities said a water main running underneath had been leaking, which caused the street to buckle, MyFoxNY reports.

The New York Fire Department said it was not yet clear if construction works nearby had contributed to the road collapse.

No one was hurt by the incident.

The hole was first reported at around 7am, and caused road closures between 63rd and 65th Streets, with motorists told to avoid the area.

Homes and businesses in the area were affected by repairs to gas lines and water pipes.