In pictures: Texas sinkhole

A massive sinkhole has opened up in south-eastern Texas in the US, swallowing up vehicles and oil field equipment.

It is not clear what caused the collapse, but the history of the nearby community of Daisetta as a once-booming oil town may provide some of the clues.

Officials are investigating whether an old salt dome, in which oil brine and natural gas are stored underground, was to blame.

The resulting hole is thought to be at least 600ft (183m) long and 150ft (46m) deep.

A truck, a tractor and telephone poles were swallowed up by the hole. Vehicles from a nearby main road had to be diverted, but there were no reports of any injuries.

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