NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria Onore were killed in a helicopter crash Sunday morning, as reported by TMZ. Fans, former players, celebrities and more have taken to social media to express their sympathy and reflect on the impact Kobe Bryant had on their lives and the game of basketball.
Kobe was an 18-time all-star, 5-time NBA champion and 2-time finals MVP during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe ended his career in 2016 as one of the most revered and respected sports figures of all time. His tireless commitment to the game inspired countless kids to pick up a basketball.
"Man I don’t even know where to start?? I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 Finals. I had never watched ball before that and that Finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!! RIP LEGEND," writes Joel Embiid.
Tyson Chandler was left visibly heartbroken during Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
"I’m at a loss for words. @kobebryant was a long-time friend, an inspiration and we shared our first-ever commercial @espn together as professionals. I love you forever #RIPMAMBA," says Keyshawn Johnson.
Check out more reactions below. Rest in peace to the greatest Laker of all-time.
Sinkhole In China Swallows Bus, Leaving Six People Dead
A massive sinkhole in China caused six people to unexpectedly lose their lives.
This past Monday evening, multiple lives were changed forever after a sinkhole opened up outside of a local hospital in Xining, the capital of Qinghai province in the nation of China. Footage captured by nearby CCTV footage showed the tragic event take place as an entire bus was swallowed by the ground pulling bystanders into the hole which was then followed by an explosion.
According to BBC, the sinkhole approximately 10m (32 feet) in diameter, killed six civilians and injured sixteen others who were able to scramble out of the pit before the fiery combustion took place. Some bystanders attempted to rescue the bus passengers but also ended up engulfed in the sinkhole as it widened.
Construction is usually to blame for the recent rise of sinkholes in China due to the country’s rapid pace in development and lackadaisical precautionary safety measures. In 2018, four pedestrians were killed when the pavement opened up on a busy street in the city of Dazhou. A similar incident took place in 2013 when five people were killed in an industrial estate in Shenzhen.
Check out the tragic aftermath footage of the sinkhole that has changed the lives of those affected this past Monday evening in the video provided above.