Massive landslide forms gaping hole near Tijuana highway

TIJUANA, Baja California — Officials in Mexico announced lane closures, emergency drain repair work, and additional safety measures after a massive sinkhole formed in the Matadero Canyon in Tijuana near a well-traversed highway.

The Baja, California, Mexico government and the Tijuana City Council came together at a joint press conference where leaders addressed the landslide.

"The priority is the safety of the population, and that's why the decision was made to restrict the circulation of the two lanes in the direction of the Playas de Tijuana," said the National Coordinator of Civil Protection in Tijuana, Laura Alzúa.

A gaping hole, caused by a torrential downpour during a past atmospheric river, opened near the highway's right lane leading to Playas de Tijuana on March 17.