51-year-old Le Van Thuong from Huong Vinh Commune in Huong Khe District of Ha Tinh central province, was watching TV with his family at about 9:30pm on May 3, when they heard a loud sound and immediately ran out to discover that the garden land had slipped into the ground to form two deep crater holes, only five meters from their kitchen.
Each crater hole measured 8m in width and 7-8m in depth. Water gushed continuously out of these holes.
The land has continued to slide into these two crater mouths ever since and many visible cracks have appeared in the surrounding areas.
Yesterday, Vo Ta Dinh, director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that the depression in Thuong’s garden might be related to a phenomenon called ‘kast’, which takes place in the earth’s womb when water erodes stones, creating caves and underground rivers. This phenomenon occurs mainly in limestone areas.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has instructed relevant departments in Huong Khe to fence off the area and place signboards, while maintaining watch over the area.
