<p><br /> A crater some 65 feet (20 metres) deep has opened up in a residential area of an eastern German town, swallowing a car and parts of a garage, but causing no injuries.<br /> </p><p><br /> Emergency services were called to the scene in Schmalkalden at about 0300 on Monday by a resident who reported hearing unusual noises.<br /> </p><p><br /> Six houses and 25 people were evacuated.<br /> </p><p><br /> Lutz Katschmann of Thuringia state's environment and geology office said it wasn't immediately clear why the ground gave way, the German news agency DAPD reported.<br /> </p><p><br /> The crater measures 98 feet by 98 feet (30 metres by 30 metres).<br /> </p><p><br /> Katschmann said it was possible that rock formations<br /> </p>
