Thursday, June 10th

Sinkhole at Mexico farm swallows more land, eats at house

A water filled sinkhole grows in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. Authorities say an underground river is responsible. (AP Photo/Pablo Spencer)

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A large sinkhole that appeared in late May in a farm in central Mexico has already grown larger than a football field authorities say it is likely to continue expanding.

The sinkhole is now over 400 feet (125 meters) across and has begun swallowing a house. The Mexican government has sent in soldiers to keep people 2,000 feet (600 meters) away from the edge of the hole, which is 50 feet (15 meters) deep.

"It's a very hard time for us. It hurts, because this is all that we have," said Magdalena Xalamigua Xopillacle, whose brick and cinderblock house on Wednesday was slowly collapsing into the sinkhole. "At times we feel sick from so much sadness."

A water filled sinkhole grows in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Pablo Spencer)

Some residents believe the sinkhole is the result of excessive ground water extraction by factories or a water bottling plant in the area. But the bottom of the hole is filled with water that appears to have strong currents, and the national civil defense office said experts think it was caused by something like an underground river.

"It is highly probable that the origin is associated with the presence of subterranean water flows," the office said.

Citing a risk of further ground fractures, the office warned people to stay away from the site in the town of Zacatepec in Puebla state, east of Mexico City.

"This is not a tourist attraction, or a place to visit with your family," the office said Wednesday.

Authorities have set up metal barriers and police tape to keep onlookers out, and has restricted flying drones over it.

Curious onlookers try to get a glimpse of a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

A Mexican soldier stands on guard inside a security perimeter around a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico,Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

A woman climbs on a pile of bricks to get a glimpse of a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Corn grows around a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. Authorities say an underground river is responsible. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Courious onlookers try to take photos of a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

With the Popocatepetl volcano on the background, security personnel patrol the perimiter around a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Cyclists take photos of a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

With the Iztaccíhuatl volcano in the background, security tape bars access in the perimeter around a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Mexican fire fighters prepare for a routine inspection of a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Peeple walk near a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. Authorities say an underground river is responsible. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Dogs walk near a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. Authorities say an underground river is responsible. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Onlookers and soldiers stand outside the safety perimeter of a water filled sinkhole in Zacatapec, on the outskirts of Puebla, Mexico, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The massive water-filled sinkhole continues swallowing farmers' fields in the central Mexican state of Puebla. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)