Massive sinkhole swallows car and caravan on beach

A giant sinkhole the size of a football field swallowed a car, caravan and camping trailer near Queensland's Rainbow Beach.

The 150m by 50m sinkhole opened up at the Inskip Point camping area at around 11pm on Saturday.

Police said it took just minutes to swallow the vehicles and tourists were forced to evacuate.

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Rainbow Beach newsagent Ruth Modin told the Brisbane Times that fishermen near the camping ground raised the alarm.

"There was fishermen apparently nearby who said there was this noise and the next thing the sand just started moving out to sea," she said.

Yahoo reports that authorities say the sinkhole is three metres deep and takes in a large part of the MV Beagle camp site.

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A woman ran through the camp sites screaming for people to wake up and get out.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife staff have cordoned off the area to prevent people from accessing the site.

Senior ranger Dan Clifton told ABC that the sinkhole could get bigger.

There is a real possibility the hole could expand with ocean currents, so people are urged to avoid the area," he said.

"Rangers and police have erected traffic barriers and warnings signs to advise beachgoers of potential risks."

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