A young woman has been rushed to hospital after an underground explosion opened up a trail in the heart of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Emergency services were called to Cavill Avenue at around 5.18pm on Sunday following reports of a “pressure explosion”.
A woman in her 20s fell into the huge hole left by the explosion.
She suffered minor injuries to her legs and was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
Queensland Police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and closed several streets in the busy tourist area.
“The public is advised to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone should remain indoors until further notice,” a statement read.
The exclusion zone included Cavill Avenue, Elkhorn Ave, The Esplanade and Surfers Paradise Boulevard.
Police have closed an exclusion zone of just over two blocks in Surfers Paradise after an “explosion” left a hole in the footpath.
Firefighters cordoned off the area of the explosion and a woman in her 20s was reportedly taken to hospital.
Emergency services remained at the scene on Sunday night.
Emergency services are still investigating the cause of the explosion.
No other injuries have been reported.
A crowd was seen gathering around the scene, watching emergency services investigate from the opposite side of the road.
Firefighters could be seen cordoning off the area and escorting the public from nearby buildings.
One witness told the Gold Coast Bulletin he had heard “three big explosions”.