Motorists around the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven on Wednesday afternoon have been warned to stay away because a main gas pipeline threatens to break.

A large area around the location has been sealed off and parts of the A2 motorway and the N2 regional road have been closed, causing traffic jams and tailbacks.

Werkzaamheden aan een gasleiding bij de #A2, tussen knooppunt De Hogt en knooppunt Leenderheide is de #A2 in beide richtingen voorlopig DICHT. pic.twitter.com/tboYSAQRqJ

— ANWB Verkeersinformatie (@ANWBverkeer) March 13, 2024

According to local broadcaster Omroep Brabant, the sand under a 30 centimetre-thick high pressure pipeline has been washed away and the pipe has buckled because of the lack of support.

The AD says the subsidence happened during work by the local water board and that some 700 metres of pipeline are under pressure.

There is no question of a gas leak, officials say, but precautions have been taken because of the potential danger. In the meantime, a special crane has been brought in to support the pipeline while restoration work is carried out.

People in nearby buildings and hotels have also been warned that they may have to evacuate the premises.