Giant sinkhole swallows middle of Illinois football field

A giant sinkhole has swallowed the centre of a football field in Illinois where squads of children often play, leaving a gaping 100-foot-wide crater in the middle of the community park.

The open chasm dramatically appeared on Wednesday, taking down a light pole and artificial turf.

But no injuries were reported after the sinkhole opened.

“No one was on the field at the time and no one was hurt, and that’s the most important thing,” Alton Mayor David Goins told The (Alton) Telegraph.

Security footage captured the hole’s sudden formation at the city’s Gordon Moore Park.

It was estimated to be at least 100 feet (30.5 meters) wide and 50 feet (15.2 meters) deep, according to the city’s parks and recreation director.

Director Michael Haynes told KMOV-TV: “It was surreal. Kind of like a movie where the ground just falls out from underneath you.”

Authorities believe the sinkhole resulted from “surface subsidence” at its underground mine in city, located about 170 foot (52 metres) below ground where the sinkhole appeared. The football complex was built on an operating limestone mine in southern Illinois.

The park and surrounding roads have now been closed indefinitely.

Mine Safety and Health Administration company spokesman Matt Barkett, whose team were alerted to the collapse, said in a statement: “The impacted area has been secured and will remain off limits for the foreseeable future while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs.

“We will work with the city to remediate this issue as quickly and safely as possible to ensure minimal impact on the community.”