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Possible Meteorite Leaves a Crater In Latvia

Posted by kdawson on from the splatvia dept.

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.

6 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. LATVIA? AND SOMEONE NOTICED ?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Like, who the fuck lives in Latvia?

  2. Fox News... by IBBoard · · Score: 0, Troll

    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.

    Meanwhile, Fox News reported that it left a crater the size of New Mexico and that aliens with Communist symbols had been seen leaving the area wanting to "find their leader".

    1. Re:Fox News... by oldspewey · · Score: 1, Troll

      Not quite. Fox News actually reported there was no proof the crater actually exists, and it was all part of a global-warming conspiracy intended to enslave everyone under a socialist plot and steal our freedoms.

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  3. ...according to Fox by dirtydog · · Score: 0, Troll

    1500 x 500m

  4. Lost Arabs by Simonetta · · Score: -1, Troll

    I probably was a couple of Arab suicide bombers who got lost while looking for an elementary school to blow up.

        Allah Akbar!!

  5. Hoax Hoax Hoax by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    I just love all the comments regarding this as a hoax.
    Even the ground on which the "scientists" here mark it as a hoax, just horrible.

    Well the President of America is a hoax too.
    Because presidents are never black.

    Oh the world is round, that was a hoax too, it has been always flat.