Possible Meteorite Leaves a Crater In Latvia

Several readers made sure we know about the possible meteorite that crashed into a field in northern Latvia yesterday. It left a crater 9m across and 3m deep according to the AP; 15m x 5m according to AFP; or 20m x 10m according to CNN. Sky News reporting includes a video recorded while approaching the smoking crater on foot; something is burning in its center. Xinhua has a brief mention with a good portrait of the crater in daylight, with people standing on its rim for perspective. Various outlets report that local authorities tested for radiation and found levels to be normal. Some quote an expert who estimates that, if it was a meteorite, it was probably around 1m in diameter when it hit. Update 16:40 GMT by SM: As many readers have pointed out, this has been declared a hoax.
Update: 10/27 16:41 GMT by KD : Swedish mobile phone operator Tele2 has now fessed up to pulling off the hoax.

Comments

Re:Conflicting reports

[gestalt_n_pepper]

And it was the liberal's fault. Obama and Acorn are to blame. If we had just cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations, removed all those pesky regulations, and elected conservatives, the meteorite would have never fallen.

Re:Conflicting reports

[Anonymous Coward]

Fox news also reported the meteor was responsible for amoral behavior and it's Obama's fault he didn't stop it.