EAST OAKLAND — A sinkhole possibly 30 feet deep opened up Sunday morning, sucking a BMW car partially below the surface, officials said.

The car’s owner was not in the vehicle, which was parked in the 2600 block of East 27th Street in the lower Dimond district when the sinkhole opened about 9:45 a.m. Sunday.

Authorities believe the sinkhole, which goes out almost 20 feet from the curb, may have resulted from underground erosion caused by Sausal Creek, a portion of which runs under the street.

There was no apparent damage to water, sewer or electrical lines. Authorities said the BMW, which may have suffered rear end damage, would have to be towed before repair work could start.

Firefighters were briefly on the scene, but the repair work was to be handled by city public works and sewer department personnel.

The car was parked outside the Gladman Mental Health Rehabilitation Center. East 27th Street was closed between Barry Place and 26th Avenue while repair work was done. It was not known if the Gladman facility was affected or how long the road would be closed. Buses and other vehicle traffic was being rerouted. Check back for updates.