16 Jul 2017

Florida sinkhole stops expanding after swallowing homes

6:23 pm on 16 July 2017

A 70 metre wide sinkhole in Florida that swallowed two houses appears to have stopped expanding, authorities say.

They say residents have been allowed to return to four adjacent homes.

The sinkhole, which is 50m deep, is full of water, household chemicals and pieces of septic tanks, and may take months to drain.

Authorities have warned that the sinkhole may expand again, especially if it rains.

No one was injured in the two homes that were destroyed nor the other nine that were evacuated, said Kevin Guthrie, assistant Pasco County administrator for public safety.

- Reuters

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