Growing Mexican 'Giant' Sinkhole Alarms Residents... Swallowed Houses and Dogs

On the 1st (local time), a massive sinkhole was seen in the fields of Santa Maria Zacatepec, Puebla, central Mexico. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Residents in a village in central Mexico are reportedly living in fear due to a massive sinkhole that has formed. Initially only about 5 meters in diameter, the sinkhole has been growing and swallowing nearby houses. The exact cause of the sinkhole's formation remains unknown.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 10th (local time), the sinkhole that first appeared at the end of last month in a field in Zacatepec, Puebla, Mexico, has now expanded to a diameter of 126 meters. This area is large enough to fit a soccer field. The depth has been measured at 15 to 20 meters, equivalent to the height of a 5 to 7-story building.

The sinkhole, which appeared near a remote farmhouse, was initially about 5 meters in diameter. However, it has been growing day by day, swallowing the surrounding land. The only house next to the sinkhole has partially collapsed and begun to be pulled into the sinkhole.

Two dogs living nearby also fell into the sinkhole but were rescued. It is unknown how the dogs entered the sinkhole, but rescue teams used supports and ropes to pull the dogs out from inside the sinkhole. Earlier, an animal protection organization released footage taken by a drone showing the two dogs barking from the middle of the sinkhole.

Meanwhile, authorities have issued evacuation orders to local residents, stating that the sinkhole, whose cause is unknown, could continue to grow indefinitely. Some residents claim that the sinkhole is the result of excessive groundwater extraction by a nearby factory.