The Enigmatic “Sleeping Sickness” of Kalachi: A village shrouded in mystery
Nestled in northern Kazakhstan, the isolated village of Kalachi has captured global attention due to an enigmatic condition known as “sleeping sickness.”
First documented in 2013, this perplexing affliction has caused hundreds of residents to fall into sudden, uncontrollable slumber, with some remaining unconscious for days.
Upon awakening, they often report distressing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, memory loss, and nausea. To date, nearly 150 cases have been identified, with some individuals experiencing multiple episodes.
The precise cause of this peculiar phenomenon in Kalachi remains elusive. However, a prominent theory suggests a connection to an abandoned Soviet-era uranium mine located nearby in Krasnogorsk. Once a thriving mining center, the site was shut down in the 1990s, leaving behind flooded tunnels.
Researchers propose that these waterlogged caverns may have sparked a chemical reaction, releasing gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. It is believed that these gases have infiltrated the village, displacing oxygen and inducing hypoxia, which could account for the strange sleep episodes.
Local reports, including those from the Astana Times, indicate slightly elevated carbon monoxide levels in Kalachi. While traces of radiation have been detected near the former mine, officials largely dismiss it as the primary culprit.
Instead, they theorize that carbon monoxide generated from decaying underground materials, such as wooden structures, is affecting air quality and contributing to the villagers’ symptoms.
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In response to the crisis, the Kazakh government began relocating residents in 2015. By June of that year, approximately 176 individuals had moved away, leaving Kalachi a nearly abandoned ghost town with crumbling homes and deserted streets.
Despite these efforts, some villagers, including long-time resident Viktor Kazachenko, have resisted leaving, expressing their determination to remain in Kalachi regardless of the circumstances.
Today, Kalachi stands largely uninhabited, its eerie silence enveloping a village steeped in mystery and intrigue. The tale of Kalachi serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring consequences of industrial and environmental hazards, particularly in remote communities.
Even now, the “sleeping sickness” remains an unsolved enigma, drawing researchers and curious tourists alike to explore the haunting remnants of a village forever changed by an unsettling phenomenon.
Located along the banks of the Ishim River in north-central Kazakhstan, Kalachi is part of the Akmola Region, though it is administered separately with special status.
The region’s capital, Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astana), was designated as the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997 and has since evolved into one of the most modern cities in Central Asia, boasting a population of over 1.3 million as of 2022.
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