Hundreds of people are reported to be ill after visiting the site of a suspected meteor impact in Peru. The exact numbers aren’t clear, with Peru’s La Republica and RPP saying 600, AFP saying 200, and others playing safe with “hundreds”. There is also some confusion over the size of the crater formed, with reports putting it between 30 and 10m wide and 5 or 6m deep – The Guardian and others have pictures, so you can make your own estimate.

“Lots of people from the town of Carancas have fallen ill. They have headaches, eye problems, irritated skin, nausea and vomiting,” local mayor Nestor Quispe told the BBC. “I think there’s also a certain psychological fear in the community.”

There are reports of ‘noxious gases’ emanating from the crater. Jorge Lopez, director of the health department in the southern state of Puno where the crater is located, said residents’ health problems were “caused by the gas they have inhaled after the crash” (AP). But meteor expert Ursula Marvin said it was more likely they were down to dust raised by the impact.

Anyone seeking a mass of informed debate, random speculation, and sci fi references should head over to Slashdot.

UPDATE – 24/09/07

Experts seem to have confirmed that it was a meteor (AP). Evidence on what may have caused the spate of illnesses has not materialized. Speculation and rumour are rife though. The best theory so far is that the meteor was actually a nuclear powered satellite shot down by an American space weapons research programme (Pravda).