Philippines Sinkhole Keeps Expanding
A sinkhole in Bogo City in the central Philippines continued to expand on Saturday, August 22, swallowing surrounding trees as authorities kept residents and onlookers away from the unstable ground.
Footage shows a large section of ground swallowed by the sinkhole, with fencing and warning signs keeping people back. Residents gather beyond the sealed-off area as emergency workers inspect the site.
Landowner Nancy Getuaban said she first heard what sounded like explosions early Thursday before discovering the sinkhole.
“It was 5:00 sharp, and there were already explosions… like waves crashing against the shore, something like that. Then, when I was heading to our pigpen to feed our small pig, I experienced another explosion. So when I took a peek, everything in front of us suddenly went dark, and I saw that there was already a hole,” she said.
By Friday, the sinkhole was reported to be about 15 metres wide and was continuing to expand as more ground gave way. Bogo City authorities called in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to carry out a technical assessment.
“I hope experts can check this today, because from time to time it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Getuaban said. “I really hope it stops. Because from time to time… I can’t help but cry. Some say we should evacuate, but my mind is burdened – if we evacuate, what about the animals we care for?”
Residents Fear Further Collapse
Barangay Guadalupe village councillor Teodoro Cabahug Baga also raised concerns about the continuing collapse and a ‘loud, rushing sound’ like flowing water coming from below.
“Right now, we’ve cordoned it off,” he said. “You really can’t predict it because this sinkhole is extremely deep and going in the opposite direction. It’s impossible for there not to be water underneath, which is why it keeps collapsing.”
Authorities established a 20-metre safety zone around the sinkhole, with village guards maintaining a constant watch to keep people away.
Officials said the cause, depth, underground extent and soil conditions had not yet been established. Three houses are near the site, although all are outside the 20-metre safety zone. One is occupied, and the family living there was encouraged to evacuate temporarily as a precaution.
Experts Investigate Sinkhole
Much of Cebu is underlain by limestone, where underground cavities can develop as groundwater dissolves the rock. If the surface loses support, the ground can subside or collapse. Authorities said a geological assessment was needed to determine the cause of this sinkhole.
Article by Viory
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