Hundreds of fish were swallowed by a sinkhole in China.

Astonished locals reportedly watched as more than 500 fish were sucked into the hole along with the pond's water in Sangzi, Hunan, on March 3.

Footage shows a man using a net pole to check the depth of the dried-up, muddy pond.

Contractor Mr Wu, a fishery business owner, said: 'My entire stock of more than 200 kilogrammes of carp vanished in minutes.'

Locals speculated that the pond might have been sitting atop a hidden void that eventually gave way.

Town engineers are currently investigating the bizarre phenomenon.

Hunan is known for its karst topography, where underground limestone gradually dissolves due to water infiltration. Over time, this can create cavities beneath the surface. If the roof of such a cavity becomes too thin, it can suddenly collapse, forming a sinkhole that rapidly drains surface water.