A burst sewage pipe in the southern Chinese city of Nanning created a dramatic and unsanitary spectacle on September 24, propelling human waste up to 33 feet (10 meters) into the air and drenching nearby vehicles and pedestrians.
The incident, quickly dubbed a “poo-cano” on social media, occurred around 11 a.m. local time on a section of road undergoing construction work. Dashcam footage captured the moment a billowing cloud of orange-tinged sewage erupted from the ground, raining down on unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians.
Local authorities reported that the pipe ruptured during a pressure test of newly-laid sewage infrastructure. The force of the explosion was significant enough to overturn a nearby digger, though officials stated that no injuries were reported.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as drivers and motorcyclists attempted to navigate through the sudden deluge of waste. One affected driver told local media, “I’m drenched in poo, my car is splattered yellow. It’s ruined.”
The aftermath left a sea of excrement covering the road, with several vehicles sustaining damage. Pedestrians and cyclists were seen attempting to traverse the contaminated area, forced to make their way through the squalid conditions.
City officials quickly mobilized a clean-up operation, deploying crews to sanitize the affected area. The local government has also launched an investigation into the causes of the incident, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This unusual event highlights potential issues with urban infrastructure and the challenges faced by rapidly developing cities in maintaining and upgrading their sewage systems. It also underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols during construction
