A black hole more than 20 meters in diameter and depth resulted
from land cave-in at Shigou Village in central China's Henan
Province on January 21, Henan-based newspaper Dong Fang
Jin Bao reported.
A huge black hole, more
than 20 meters in diameter and depth, was left in the ground when
the land caved in at Shigou Village in central China's Henan
Province on Monday, January 21. The cave-in caused 25 affected
households, or about 100 people, to relocate to a safer place
overnight.
The accident occurred in a residential area, and the kitchen of
one household was swallowed by the "black hole." A two-story house
two meters away was only mildly affected and the 22 miners inside
remained sound and well. No casualties have been reported so
far.
A rescue team formed by local miners, officials and geographic
experts were summoned to the site immediately to carry out rescue
operations.
After intense efforts in surveying and inspection, the
possibility that the collapse resulted from mining was ruled out.
Inspectors believe the cave-in was caused by geographical movement
underground. They also defined a scope stretching 40 meters
eastward from the accident site as dangerous.
In preparation for a further disruption, local officials have
relocated 25 affected households, or about 100 people, to safe
locations overnight. Construction work on a new community is
expected to kick off after the Chinese lunar New Year, so as to
offer better accommodation for the victims in the village.
(CRI January 23, 2007)
