A ‘Gate to Hell’ has opened in Russia with a giant sinkhole being spotted close to a major ski resort.
The huge collapse came at an iron-ore mine with one house seen perched on the edge of the new crater almost swallowed up by the implosion.
Residents of a total of four homes had been earlier moved from the site in Sheregesh in the Kemerovo region of Siberia amid fears of a collapse.
There are understood to be no casualties.
A spokesman for Tashtagol district said: “The subsidence of the earth's surface in the boundaries of the mining allotment of the Sheregesh mine was predictable.
“[Residents of] houses No. 14, 16, 18 and 20 on Pervomayskaya Street were resettled [before the collapse].”
Work at the Sheregeshsky mine in the Kuzbass industrial area has been suspended.
The houses at the site were mainly holiday homes, said reports.
The district government intends to fill the hole in future.
The nearby ski resort Sheregesh is one of the most popular in Russia.
It is famous for an annual swimsuit skiing competition in spring.
Russian news agency Interfax names the owners of the Sheregeshsky mine as Evraz Group. The steelmaking giant was sanctioned by the UK in March linked to the war in Ukraine.
In a statement the UK Government said: "The steel manufacturing and mining company operates in sectors of strategic significance to the Government of Russia.
"Evraz plc produce 28% of all Russian railway wheels and 97% of rail-tracks in Russia. This is of vital significance as Russia uses rail to move key military supplies and troops to the frontline in Ukraine.
"Along with existing measures, this action will further deter companies operating in strategic sectors in Russia. Today’s asset freeze means no UK citizen or company can do business with them.
"Evraz plc’s core operations are in Russia where they are a major employer. These sanctions will further chip away at Putin’s financial reserves and siege economy, and support Ukraine’s continued resistance."
In November the Foreign Office said they had sanctioned four olicargrchs "who have enabled Putin to mobilise Russian industries to support his military effort".
It added: "Amongst those sanctioned today are Alexander Abramov and Alexander Frolov, who have been targeted for their involvement in the extractive, transport, and construction sectors."
The government statement continued: "The pair, known to be business associates of Roman Abramovich, previously owned major stakes in Russian steel manufacturer Evraz plc, are thought to have an estimated global net worth of £4.1 billion and £1.7 billion respectively, and are reported to have UK property investments worth an estimated £100 million."
