8 of the Most Creepy Ghost Towns on the planet

Ghost towns are former settlements abandoned by residents. Each of them has its own sad history; the reasons are different (catastrophes, accidents, wars), and the result is the same - destruction and devastation. However, such cities magically attract tourists. Below are examples of the most creepy abandoned cities.

Hashima is a ghost island. Settlement of the island began in 1887 in connection with the discovery of coal. In 1890, the island was bought by Mitsubishi to extract coal from underwater mines. On the territory of Hasima there were mines, military factories, residential buildings, shops, a school, a cemetery. In 1959, the population of the island reached its peak — 5,259 people, but after 15 years the mines were closed and the island gradually emptied. (Photo: inefekt69)

Aghdam was once home to 150 thousand people. The city was founded in the middle of the XVIII century and functioned until the Karabakh War (1991-1994). As part of the conflict, Aghdam was subjected to brutal vandalism by Karabakh Armenians. To date, a number of ruins and the surviving Aghdam Mosque can be seen in the ghost town. (Photo: Marco Fieber)

The city was founded in February 1970 and was the ninth atomograd. In April 1986, the population of Pripyat was evacuated as a result of the Chernobyl accident. Today, the site is considered one of the most famous ghost towns in the world; despite the possible threat to life, there are regular excursions for tourists. (Photo: Liam Davies)

The city of Centreilia was founded in 1841. There were residential buildings, schools, churches, theaters, banks, etc. The main occupation of the townspeople was the coal-anthracite industry. The reason for the relocation was an underground fire in the mines, which began in 1962 and continues to this day. Its signs can be observed in several places, especially on Highway No. 61, where smoke oozes from the cracks. (Photo: Kelly Michals)

Today, the village of Kayakey is a museum and a historical monument. More than 350 houses where people once lived are in a deplorable state, even under the protection of the Turkish government. Kayakey was abandoned as a result of the Greco-Turkish War; it was also destroyed during the earthquake of 1957. (Photo: Aleksander Dantsiger)

Kadykchan is an urban-type mining settlement with a population of 12 thousand, which today is a deserted ghost town. Mass relocation began in 1996 after the mine accident. Most of the residential buildings are mothballed. In many dwellings, you can still see things left behind, indicating a hasty relocation. (Photo: Laika ac)

Fordland was founded by Henry Ford in 1928 as an industrial center for the production of rubber for the automotive industry. Ultimately, the project failed. Mr. Ford did not take into account many important details on the cultivation of rubber trees; the territory was practically barren. In addition, he wanted to Americanize the local workers. They were forced to eat American food and carry IDs; alcohol and tobacco products were also banned. Such restrictions caused a riot in 1930. (Photo: (WT-shared) Amitevron)

Chaiten became a ghost town as a result of the eruption of the volcano of the same name in 2008. Local residents had to leave their homes and move to neighboring cities. The restoration of Chaiten began in 2011, but the damage caused was very large. (Photo: bibliojojo)