A massive sinkhole has opened up on a football field in Illinois. Authorities say it was likely caused by a collapse in a mine that is located near the facility. The moment the hole opened in the ground was captured on camera.
A huge sinkhole opened on Wednesday at a sports facility in Illinois. At one point, the ground beneath the Gordon Moore Park pitch complex in Alton simply collapsed, leaving a hole in the middle with a diameter of 30 meters and a depth of 9 meters.
“Like something out of a movie”
The stands set up on the facility, one of the lighting poles, and a section of the artificial surface fell into the sinkhole. At the time of the collapse, no one was using the pitch.
– It could have been much worse. A week ago, at the same time, there were 60-70 people taking part in football training on the pitch, the coach of the school sports club that used the pitch told the media.
Sinkhole at Alton Sports CenterReuters
According to local authorities, the sinkhole was caused by subsidence in a nearby limestone mine. This caused part of the terrain to lower and a sinkhole to form.
Alton Parks and Recreation Director Michael Haynes told local media the collapse “looked like something out of a movie, like a bomb went off.” He added that it is not yet known how the sinkhole will be repaired – first, engineers and geologists will have to determine the stability of the ground in the sports center and the surrounding areas.
The moment the ground collapsed in IllinoisReuters/City of Alton/TMX
Reuters, The Guardian, Alton Telegraph
Main image source: Reuters/City of Alton/TMX