10 abandoned islands in the world no one dares to live on and the chilling reasons why

Throughout the world, some islands were once inhabited by humans but now remain uninhabited due to various reasons such as environmental, conflict, or economic factors. Although these islands may appear to be mysterious, studies indicate that abandonment is not a rare occurrence. Recently, a study on island biogeography established that about 30% of islands have been abandoned within the last 150 years, especially those that are smaller and more isolated.

The study established that abandonment is a common occurrence on islands due to limited resources and harsh environments. Today, these islands are being used for scientific study and protected by various governments for their historical and environmental importance. From industrial sites to hostile environments, each island has a different story to tell. Natural disasters, rising sea levels, and the introduction of invasive species can also make islands difficult to inhabit. Over time, these pressures lead communities to relocate, leaving behind structures that slowly decay. PC: AI-Generated

The village of Houtouwan on Shengshan Island in China used to be a thriving village for fishermen. However, due to the lack of access to educational facilities and other resources, the villagers began to leave the village, and it was eventually taken over by vegetation.


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Okunoshima Island in Japan is one such island that was used for chemical weapons production during World War II. After World War II, this island was abandoned, and now it is famous for its large number of rabbits.

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The Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic Ocean truly is inaccessible. Its inaccessibility due to its rugged terrain and lack of landing points has made it hard to settle. It has remained uninhabited since the 19th century.

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Ross Island, located in India, was an important British administrative centre. However, due to the occurrence of earthquakes and the Japanese occupation during World War II, the island was deserted, and nature has reclaimed the structures on the island.

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The island of Hirta, which is part of the St Kilda Islands of Scotland, was evacuated in 1930 after the inhabitants requested to be evacuated from the island. The extreme weather, isolation, and lack of resources made the island no longer inhabitable.

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King Island is located in Alaska and was inhabited by an Indigenous population that relied on fishing and hunting activities. However, after the closure of basic facilities such as schooling in the mid-20th century, people were compelled to relocate, and the island became uninhabited.

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Another island that was previously inhabited and later abandoned due to its inaccessibility and lack of supplies is Clipperton Island in the Pacific Ocean. The island has a tragic history of survival and settlement challenges.

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The island of Poveglia in Italy was used as a quarantine area for those affected by the plague. Thousands of people affected by the plague were taken to the island. It was later used to establish a mental asylum. The island was abandoned in the 20th century due to its connection to death and disease.

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The island, which is situated off the coast of Brazil, is home to a large number of highly venomous golden lancehead snakes. The large number of snakes, which run into thousands, made it impossible for humans to inhabit the island, and access is currently restricted.PC: Wikipedia

The island of Hashima in Japan was one of the most densely populated areas in the world, built on an undersea coal mine. However, the coal ran out in the 1970s, and the mines were closed, causing the population to vanish overnight.

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