VietNamNet Bridge – After an explosion, a big hole suddenly appeared at the house of Mr. Bach Khoang Vu in Ninh Dan commune of the northern midland province of Phu Tho in the early morning of August 23.

Vu’s family members woke up startled after hearing a big sound. They were flabbergasted to see a 3m wide and 2m deep hole amid their home.

The local government asked Vu’s family and his two neighbors to immediately move from their homes. Earlier, they inspected these houses and found out hollows under the grounds.

According to Ninh Dan commune authorities, 76 out of 400 households in the commune are located in highly risky areas, where a landslide can happen anytime. There are houses that have hollows under the ground.

The commune’s Vice Chair Nguyen Duc Thanh said landslides and subsidence are caused by downpours and the Song Thao Cement JS Company’s exploring rock by explosives.

Landslides and subsidence have happened in Ninh Dan for a long time but the local government has not determined the reason. However, the key reason is said natural factors, besides mining activities and the exploitation of underground water.

Compiled by P. Linh