This report shows some scientists questioning whether anything fell at all, but instead it is all some sort of geological phenomena.
A couple features of the event reports suggest there was a space rock involved, said geophysicist Larry Grossman of the University of Chicago. The bright streak of light and loud bangs seen and heard by locals are consistent with a meteor streaking through Earth’s atmosphere, he said. Most meteors do burn up, never becoming meteorites (which is what they’re called if they reach the surface).
Because no one actually saw anything impact at the crater site, it’s hard to say whether a space rock was involved because they are often deceptive as to where they will land. Many times, people swear a meteor landed nearby when in fact it was so far away that it dipped below the local horizon but never actually struck the ground.
I think I’ll stick to mass hysteria, even if it is some geological feature. Still, much like the scientists quoted in this article, I’m basing my opinion on hearsay. The beauty of my theory is that it works for either meteorites or geysers — I somehow doubt the entire village walked over to the crater and got sick.
I think at this point, however, we may have to rule out zombie-death plague.