The
Dyatlov Pass incident (
Russian: Гибель тургруппы Дятлова) was an event where nine
Russian hikers died in the northern
Ural Mountains between 1 and 2 February 1959, in uncertain circumstances. The experienced trekking group, who were all from the
Ural Polytechnical Institute, had established a camp on the slopes of
Kholat Syakhl, in an area now named in honor of the group's leader, Igor Dyatlov. During the night, something caused them to tear their way out of their tents and flee the campsite, all while inadequately dressed for the heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
After the group's bodies were discovered, an investigation by
Soviet authorities determined that six had died from
hypothermia while the other three showed signs of
physical trauma. One victim had a
fractured skull; two others had major chest fractures and the body of one of the group was missing both its eyes. One of the victims was missing a tongue. The investigation concluded that a "compelling natural force" had caused the deaths. Numerous theories have been put forward to account for the unexplained deaths, including animal attacks, hypothermia,
avalanche,
katabatic winds,
infrasound-induced panic, military involvement, or some combination of these.
Video follows the route they took and tries to find an explanation.