Large 30m Diameter 'Sinkhole' at Famous Russian Ski Resort

Suspected Due to Coal Mine Near Ski Resort... No Casualties Reported
Frequent Sinkholes Occur in Yamal Peninsula and Other Areas Due to Global Warming

A large sinkhole approximately 30 meters (100 feet) in diameter occurred near a famous ski resort in Russia, halting mining operations. Photo by Daily Mail

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] A large sinkhole approximately 30 meters (100 feet) in diameter has occurred near a famous ski resort in Russia. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.

On the 12th (local time), the British Daily Mail reported a massive collapse at the Shurgesh mine near the Shurgesh ski resort in Kemerovo Oblast, Siberia.

A spokesperson for the Tashtagol district in Kemerovo stated, "Surface subsidence within the Shurgesh mine was anticipated," adding, "Four households living near the sinkhole relocated before the collapse." Mining operations have been suspended.

Aerial footage released by the media shows a huge sinkhole between roads and houses. Smoke rises from the large oval-shaped depression, creating a precarious scene as if it might swallow everything at any moment.

Authorities in Kemerovo Oblast and the mining company Evraz announced plans to fill the sinkhole. Evraz is owned by a UK limited company in which Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, former owner of the English football club Chelsea, holds about a 29% stake. Evraz previously faced bankruptcy risks due to sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

The Kuzbass industrial region, where this mine is located, is known to produce 60% of Russia's coal and 14% of its iron and rolled steel sheets.

The Shurgesh ski resort near the mine is one of the most popular resorts in Russia. The resort holds the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit ski competition held every spring. It is also famous for the shaman dance and Russian pancake festival held on the slopes.

In 2014, about 20 massive sinkholes also appeared in the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia.

Regarding this, a Russian research team explained, "If warming continues, sinkholes may continue to form in the Yamal Peninsula," adding, "Abnormal temperatures do not discriminate by region, so other countries cannot be complacent either."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.