‘Gate to Hell’ sinkhole opens near Russian ski resort

An enormous sinkhole has swallowed snow and left skiers stunned in central Russia, after it opened near a popular resort.

Dubbed the ‘Gate to Hell’, local media has reported the huge 30-mile-wide collapse occurred at a mine in Siberia that is reportedly owned by a sanctioned firm linked to former football club owner and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Four homes were evacuated after the sinkhole opened up, most of which were used as holiday rentals in the Kemerovo region of Russia.

Stunning aerial footage of the collapse shows how the massive sinkhole formed close to the side of a road, with a secondary clip showing cars continuing to pass by the scene in the aftermath of the collapse.

The Kemerovo region accounts for 60 percent of Russia’s coal and 14 percent of its steel and rolled products.

Ski resort Sheregesh, 2485 miles from Moscow, is one of the most popular in Russia and located near the sinkhole.

The region, famous for its long ski season and annual swimsuit skiing competition, is also home to festivals and a Russian pancake celebration in the slopes.