February 24, 2007: Massive sinkhole in Guatemala

[Undertoad]

There's nothing like a big hole in the middle of your town, suddenly appearing and taking with it several residents.

This sinkhole appeared yesterday; I saw it at Neatorama; the full story at MSNBC tells us this thing is 330 feet deep and has swallowed two residents and ten homes. Probably caused by faulty sewer/water lines.

The pit emitted foul odors, loud noises and tremors, shaking the surrounding ground. A rush of water could be heard from its depths.

Authorities have warned that the sounds coming from the sinkhole augured further possible collapses, and possibly the destruction of more homes. The dwellings around the crater have been evacuated, and police cordoned off a 500-yard security perimeter around the hole.

Edward Ramirez said he and other residents had been hearing noises and feeling tremors for about a month before the ground opened up before dawn, waking many in the poor neighborhood.

"People were shouting 'The electric posts are falling down!'" said the 26-year-old Ramirez, who lives 50 yards from the hole. "We are going to a friend's house now. There's no way we'll stay here."�