A collapse near an underground mine in Illinois opened a 100-foot-wide sinkhole under the soccer field there on Wednesday, authorities said.
The sinkhole occurred around 10 a.m. in Gordon Moore Park in Alton.
City of Alton security cameras captured the moment the sinkhole opened up, engulfing a light pole in a field in a plume of dust, and drone footage showed the remains of a crater in the middle of the field.
New Frontier Materials, which operates subsidiary Bluff City Minerals, Alton Telegraph He said the sinkhole was the result of a “surface collapse” that occurred in Alton’s underground mine.
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Alton Mayor David Goins said no one was on the grounds at the time of the collapse. (618 Drone Service via Storyful)
“The affected area has been secured and will remain off-limits for the time being while inspectors and experts investigate the mine and carry out remediation,” the statement said in part.
Fox News Digital reached out to New Frontier Materials for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The sinkhole occurred Wednesday morning on the soccer field at Gordon Moore Park. (618 Drone Service via Storyful)
Alton Mayor David Goins addressed the sinkhole during a city council meeting late Wednesday, noting that no one was on the field when the sinkhole suddenly engulfed part of the football field.
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“It’s unfortunate, but fortunate that no one was injured. No one was on the ground at the time of the collapse,” Goins said. “It’s a terrible situation, but we’re very fortunate because there could have been injuries, deaths and it could have been a lot worse.”
When the sinkhole opened, it swallowed the lamppost and made it disappear completely. (618 Drone Service via Storyful)
Goins said an independent geologist would inspect the site to determine the extent of the damage.
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Meanwhile, the mayor said all activities at the park have been canceled.
