Mysterious disappearances rival the Bermuda Triangle
While the Bermuda Triangle has long captivated the world with tales of unexplained disappearances, another equally enigmatic region exists: the ‘Alaska Triangle’. Located near the northern coastal city of Utqiagvik, this area has baffled experts and locals alike following the mysterious disappearance of over 20,000 individuals.
A grim record: Over 20,000 missing since the 1970s
Since the early 1970s, more than 20,000 people have inexplicably vanished within this vast triangular region, contributing to the sparse population in the area, according to IFL Science. Statistically, Alaska records an alarming rate of disappearances, double the national average, with an estimated 2,250 people vanishing every year.
High-profile disappearances: Politicians among the missing
Among the most notable disappearances are two prominent politicians: US House Majority Leader Thomas Hale Boggs Sr. and Alaska Congressman Nick Begich. On October 16, 1972, both politicians, along with Begich’s aide Russell Brown and pilot Don Jonz, disappeared while flying from Anchorage to Juneau. Despite exhaustive search efforts, neither the plane nor their bodies were ever found.
In some cases, remains of the missing have been discovered years later. Gary Frank Sotherden, a 25-year-old hunter, disappeared in the remote area during the 1970s. Decades later, a human skull was found along the Porcupine River in northeastern Alaska. In 2022, DNA testing confirmed the skull belonged to Sotherden, who is believed to have been killed by a bear.
Theories behind the Alaska Triangle
Theories abound regarding the causes of these mysterious disappearances. Some speculate unusual magnetic activity or the presence of extraterrestrial visitors in the Alaska Triangle. However, more straightforward explanations suggest that the region’s vast wilderness and natural dangers could account for why so many people have gone missing and never been found again.
The Alaska Triangle remains an unsolved enigma, drawing comparisons to the Bermuda Triangle for its high rate of unexplained disappearances. While some remains have been discovered, the majority of the missing people have vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of questions and theories that continue to intrigue and mystify.