Days after its emergence, the threat posed by a hole that suddenly formed in a farm in Mexico has worsened, with its size now larger than a football field. Experts suggest it may continue to grow. The cavity now measures over 125 meters in width and has started to swallow a nearby house. The Mexican government has sent soldiers to keep people 600 meters away from the edge of the hole, which is 15 meters deep.
The hole appeared in late May on a farm in Puebla state, central Mexico, in a strange and mysterious phenomenon that has alarmed authorities. Magdalena Xalamehua Exobi Guacly, the owner of the house at the edge of the hole that is slowly sliding into the sinkhole, stated, "This is a very difficult time for us. It hurts because it is all we have. Sometimes we feel sick from this intense sadness."
Some residents believe this sinkhole is a result of uncontrollable extraction of groundwater by local factories, particularly a water bottling plant. However, the bottom of the hole is filled with water that appears to have strong currents, contradicting this belief, while the National Civil Defense Office indicated that experts believe the cause resembles an underground river.
The office stated, "It is very likely that the source is related to the presence of groundwater flows." Based on the risk of further collapses, the office warned people against approaching the site in Zakatipik, Puebla, east of Mexico City. The office remarked on Wednesday, "This is not a tourist attraction or a place to visit with your family." Authorities have set up metal barriers and police tape to cordon off the area to keep onlookers away, and drone flights over the site have been restricted.
