A section of the embankment of the River Arno in central Florence collapsed on Wednesday morning, sending part of the road and at least 20 parked cars into a newly formed ditch, the BBC reported.
The collapse, which opened up a  hole about 200m in length and 7m across, took place very close to the famous Ponte Vecchio, a medieval covered bridge over the Arno.
Firefighters believe the chasm has been created by the failure of a large water pipe beneath the surface.
 
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