A crater in Chile has baffled scientists by growing to an extraordinary size.

A massive sinkhole is causing mayhem in Chile

A massive sinkhole is causing mayhem in Chile

The gigantic sinkhole hole emerged at the end of July and has now grown large enough that it could swallow Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue six times over.

Operations at a mine in the South American country's Candelaria district have been suspended because of the sinkhole and the authorities have vowed to take action against those responsible for the crater.

Mining minister Marcela Hernando said: "We are going to go all the way with consequences, to sanction, not just fine."

The Canadian firm Lundin Mining owns 80 per cent of the property and claimed that the full facts need to be established before anybody can be held responsible for the sinkhole.

A spokesperson said: "The hydrogeological and mining studies will provide the answers we are looking for today."