This is the moment a large building suddenly disappears in a gaping sinkhole that has been blamed on illegal mining in the area.

Three houses collapsed in the sinkhole in the town of Zaruma in the southernmost Ecuadorian province of El Oro on the evening of 15th December.

Christian Torres, director of the Ecuadorian Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR), said: “Zaruma has an illegal mining problem that has caused this (sinkhole).”

According to the news site El Telegrafo, the illegal mining situation has caused both anger and anxiety among local residents, who fear other buildings may collapse.

One resident told local media: “It is worrying, it is not anything new. Studies they carried out in Zaruma said large sinkholes are continuing to grow because there are no restrictions (on mining).

“This is the moment to decide whether we allow Zaruma to fall or stop it from happening.”

SNGR confirmed that no one was injured in the latest incident due to the rapid evacuation of residents in two neighbourhoods.

Firefighters from Zaruma and Portovelo travelled to the area to deal with the aftermath.

The sinkhole caused a power cut in the area, and it is unclear if homes have been reconnected since the incident.

Torres said an expert team will be sent to the scene today (16th December) to carry out a survey and determine the next course of action.

Zaruma vice-mayor Carlos Aguilar also promised to “provide timely care to the affected families”.