Coal Mine Collapses Under Supermarket, Buckling Pavement in Parking Lot

Mine subsidence is a well-documented problem in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, more than 800,000 acres throughout the state have been undermined for coal

A coal mine has collapsed above a metro station neighboring other businesses in Belleville, Illinois.

First Alert 4 reported that the surrounding store, Belleville Ruler Foods, was forced to shut down after the pavement encompassing the area began to crack and buckle. The store and metro station reside over an old coal mine.

The collapsing coal mine is causing additional establishments to be rebuilt, according to the news outlet. The deteriorating ground is also impacting a few private residences. The Belleville fire chief told First Alert 4 there is no threat to the public and no one has been injured.

On Tuesday, Stephanie Mills, the Belleville Fire Chief, confirmed to KSDK News that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources inspected the area and found that mine abatement was occurring.

Mine subsidence is a well-documented problem in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources , more than 800,000 acres throughout the state have been undermined for coal.

Mine subsidence occurs when voids form after underground mines collapse. They cause sinking, also known as subsidence, on the ground’s surface.