Massive Guatemala Sinkhole Kills 2 Teens

Nearly 1,000 Evacuated As A Dozen Homes Swallowed Into Hole

(AP)  A 330-feet-deep sinkhole swallowed about a dozen homes early Friday in a crowded Guatemala City neighborhood, killing at least two teenagers and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,000 people.

Officials said recent rains and an underground sewage flow from a ruptured main caused the sinkhole.

The pit emitted foul odors, loud noises and tremors, shaking the surrounding ground. A rush of water could be heard from its depths and authorities feared it could widen or others could open up.

Rescue operations were on hold until a firefighter, suspended from a cable, could take video and photos above the hole and officials could use the results to decide how to move forward.

Emergency spokesman Juan Carlos Bolanos identified the dead as Irma and David Soyos. Their bodies were found near the sinkhole, floating in a river of sewage. Their father, Domingo, was still missing, according to national disaster coordinator Hugo Hernandez.

Residents said others were still missing, but Hernandez couldn't confirm that.

Edward Ramirez, 26, said he and other residents had been hearing noises and feeling tremors for about a month before the sinkhole appeared before dawn, waking many in the poor neighborhood.

"People were shouting 'The electric posts are falling down!'" said Ramirez, who lives 50 yards from the hole. "We are going to a friend's house now. There's no way we'll stay here."

Police helped residents move out of their homes. Some officers even carried refrigerators and televisions on their shoulders, while other pushed sofas on makeshift carts.

Security officials were on guard for possible looters and to clear the area of onlookers.

Cristobal Colon, a spokesman for the municipal water authority, said the sewage main ruptured after becoming clogged. He said the city was aware of the blockage and the army had been considering a controlled explosion to clear the pipe, which carries both rainwater and sewage for much of the capital.

Antonio Fuentes, 50, said he plans to abandon the run-down neighborhood he has called home for 15 years.

"Last night a friend had to take my handicapped wife out on motorcycle," he said. "Now I'm leaving for good, never to come back."

[coolbobbi]

Let's pray for these people.. Can you imagine being swallowed up in a nasty horrible way such as has happened here.. We need to let them know we are praying for them and perhaps help in some way.. God Bless all of you our neighbors...

[j49203034]

Give it some time and I'm sure someone will blame George Bush.

[annd2302]

The idea of locating the discharge area for the sink-hole is far-fetched at most. The debris as you call it may be emptying out in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles off shore.

On the other hand if the discharge point is 400 fathoms or more deep, the debris would dissipate and dilute beyond the visual eye, If that be the case without manual contamination, the discharge may not be found.

My recommendation would be to place a radio-active isotope device into the crater which will flow as light gravity, withstand the tempetures and pressures and it will exit the discharge area.

Now, my friends, are you sure the flow, under the surface of the sinkhole is traveling toward the Pacific Ocean OR is it flowing back toward the Gulf of Compeche? Condition being, flow toward the ocean, somewhat stable and controllable. However, flow toward the Gulf area (Compeche) your problems have just begun. The anomaly could actually transform into a huge gigantic pipeline, like a soaker hose and distribute millions upon millions of gallons of %u201CSalt Water%u201D from a line at the original sinkhole to the northern Gulf. Theoretically a massive flood area could exist between both locations.

[darkfyreaol]

Makes me think this 'sinkhole sewer' ran through an aquifer or underground caverns. Any groundwater in the immediate area, I would consider polluted.

As to where it's going..Eh, I'd check the nearest bodies of water for debris. Maybe the pacific ocean?

[sevenveils]

An important question that needs to be answered quickly is:
Where is this underground river of sewage going?