A sinkhole near a bank in Florida is actually a tunnel leading to a local bank, the FBI has said.

Spokesman Mike Leverock said on Wednesday that officials were notified after a motorist reported what looked like a sinkhole in a street near a Chase bank branch in Pembroke Pines.

Investigators found an entrance hole in nearby woodland that contained a small electric generator and some electrical cords. The tunnel led under the road towards the bank, a distance of about 45 metres, and it was approximately 60 centimetres wide.

“The only thing I’ve ever seen like this is in the movies. This is truly a unique case here,” Leverock said. “It’s very small, very claustrophobic.”

Investigators said the tunnel appeared to have been dug by hand using tools such as a pickaxe, with a small wagon used to transport dirt and rock outside. A small ladder and a pair of muddy boots were also found inside.

A cadaver dog determined there were no bodies inside the tunnel. It was not immediately clear how long the underground structure had been there.

“They could have been here a week ago, last night. We don’t know at this time,” Leverock said.

Heavy equipment was brought in to dig up the tunnel.

There was no robbery at the bank, no arrests had been made and no suspects were immediately identified. The bank remained open on Wednesday, although some drive-up windows near the tunnel were closed.

Pembroke Pines is about 20 miles (32km) south-west of Fort Lauderdale.

