A landlord in Ha Tinh Province got the shock of his life May 3, when hearing an “explosion” he discovered two enormous holes in his garden.

Large sinkholes in the garden

The man said he was terrified the night when the large holes, 8 metres in diameter, appeared. It also caused a stir among the other residents of Vinh Dai Hamlet, Huong Vinh Commune, Huong Khe District.

“When I saw the first one, the ground was still giving way around the edges. I had to take steps back so I wouldn’t fall in. Then I heard another sound, like an explosion, behind my back. And there it was: another hole as large as the first.”

“I got my wife and children out of the house right away and asked neighbours for help.”

When the neighbors arrived, they measured each hole at around 8 metres across, and 7 metres deep.

At the bottom of each is muddy water with a yellowish scum on the surface. Residents fear that the cracks around them could mean that more will appear.

Many people from surrounding areas rushed to see for themselves after hearing about the unexplained event. Neighbours and visitors alike offer explanations, only adding to the general bafflement.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Chairman of Huong Vinh communal People’s Committee, said, “Nothing like this has ever happened here. We are all puzzled.”

He said that, in the short term, local authorities have encouraged residents in this area to move to safe places.

The incident was reported to the District Office of Natural Resources and Environment. It’s hoped that they will be able to find an explanation, he added.

Nguyen Van Dung, head of the office, said, “We arrived soon after the incident to inspect the site. Apart from moving people away from the area, we have also reinforced the ground around the edges of the holes.”

Two similar, but smaller, holes appeared in the same district on November 9, 2010.

Curious spectators

Cracks

Smaller holes appeared in 2010