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)