A massive 30-meter-wide sinkhole, dubbed the “Hell’s Pit,” has formed near a ski resort in Siberia, at a mine believed to be owned by a company linked to Roman Abramovich.
The huge collapse happened at the Sheregesh iron mine in the Kemerovo region, near a popular ski resort. Residents of four houses had previously been moved from the site over fears of a collapse. The incident caused no casualties. Aerial footage shows a massive sinkhole that has formed near the edge of a road.
A second video, filmed from the ground, shows cars continuing to pass after the collapse. A house nearly engulfed in the implosion was seen teetering dangerously.
Work at the mine has been suspended. The Sheregeshsky mine in the Kuzbass industrial zone is owned by steel giant EVRAZ, which was sanctioned by the UK in March over the war in Ukraine.
Abramovich, sanctioned by Britain for Putin’s invasion, would hold a 28.64% stake in the company. The region produces 60% of Russian coal and 14% of its steel and rolled products. The homes on the site were primarily vacation homes, according to reports. The district government and Evraz intend to fill the hole. Sheregesh ski resort, known as Gesh by locals, is one of the most popular in Russia.
It has some of the best snow conditions in the world, with a ski season that lasts six months.