I'm Canadian and I had pen pals in public and high school. One from Australia named Heather and one from Cameroon named Louis. Louis and I had been pen pals for almost 5 years when the Lake Nyos disaster happened. I have photos of Louis posing beside Lake Nyos. He was k1lled in the tragedy. 11 years later, when I gave birth to my son, I named him Connor Louis in honour of my pen pal. Rest in peace, my friend. You are missed and will not be forgotten.❤🩹💔❤
I was a journalism student at the time this happened in my country, Cameroon, and it was a scary and confusing event. The conspiracy theories around the Lake Nyos incident prevailed for a very long time because of the politics in the country - as in, one faction is trying to wipe out the other. It was especially puzzling since we do not associate volcanoes and volcanic activities with that area of the country. There was a baby who survived in that village and he was named "Moses" by the Press. Thanks to TH-camrs like MrBallen and others, many Cameroonians now understand what happened at Lake Nyos.
@@mryupjup2203 from what I've learned about this, and a few other cases. The gas is heavier than the air, so it's low to the ground. Where most people there might sleep. I can see the baby being put in a hammock so it can't crawl around. If so the child was higher up and didn't inhale the poison gases. In one a boy that was on a very small hill watching the sheep survived, but almost his whole village died. If I remember correctly that one was somewhere in Africa.
I am Cameroonian and this story is true. On the day of this incident my mum was 18 years old and was behind a bike on her way to collect her first salary as a nurse% she was excited and then the explosion happened. The biker (an old) told her not to continue the journey she ended up spending the night at a community hall before getting the information the next morning that everyone is just dying. No one knew why and she ran back to town. If she didn’t listened to the old man I won’t be alive today and you won’t be reading this comment. May the souls that where lost that day Rest In Perfect Peace ❤ Edited Tomorrow I celebrate my 30 years Birthday.
This is the terrifying story of Lake Nyos of my country Cameroon. As kids we woke up to the news that left the nation weeping. The effects are still felt until date. Thanks for sharing our story.
The terrible disaster at Lake Nyos is a famous story that has been told many times, but it has never been brought to life in chilling detail as it has by the excellent storytelling of Mr. Ballen. Kudos sir!
Dude's gotta real talent for telling riveting stories. I've heard other youtubers tell some of the exact stories he does, but they don't quite keep you on the edge of your seat like Mr. B.Allen does.
Am a Cameroonian I was only a kid when this happened it was quite scary and confusing we were all scared to go to bed for couple of days. Thank you for given me more understanding. This means a lot us.
Thank you so much for sharing. I must say I was surprised to find someone in the comment section who experienced the fear and confusion of this terrible tragedy first-hand. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a young person watching all of the adults around you confused and frightened as well as hearing many different stories and not knowing what really happened. This is a bit off topic but I have to say I am still thrilled to be able to communicate from my home in Vancouver Canada to someone all the way across the world in Cameroon. How wonderful that we are only separated by clicking a couple of buttons. Sending you joyful blessings.
It was a section of the cliff that broke up fell into the lake and the disturbance freed the deadly gas from the bottom of the lake Your story brings back the emotions My dad grew up in that area and he lost a lot of childhood friends I was 8 years old and I still remember how broken my dad was by the news of what happened at Nyos Very sad
My Dad was one of the scientists they called to investigate this disaster. Thank you for telling this story as well as you did, this perspective makes the story very clear to me.
I hope your dad came up with something better than "unknown and unnatural".. I could have come up with that scientific explanation sitting on my couch at home...
I've seen docs on this disaster before, but your "man on the ground" focus on Ephraim really makes it personal. I was worried his family was dead, and now, I'm really happy for him that they were okay.
Yeah I never heard about this event before but as soon as he mentioned the loud boom I knew it had to be some type of toxic gas from a seismic event. I live in an area with earthquakes so I've read about all kinds of strange thing that occur before and during an earthquake. There is even an event called EQL (earthquake lights) where it it appears like lights are coming out from the ground. When you have different types of rocks under high pressure, with free floating electrons, water and gases trapped, all kinds of strange things can occur. There is still a lot of research being done on this.
Thank you Mr Ballen. I'm Cameroonian and I've been listening to your stories since 2019. Hearing a story about an event in my country and Region of origin, gives me much joy. Many don't really know the real story behind this tragedy. Thank you for telling us this story in great detail... An alarm has been placed around the lake in order to warn the villagers in case deadly amounts of these gases are realeased. I hope I get to teach you how to pronounce 'Nyos' like a Cameroonian 🤗
I find it insulting to his audience's intelligence. I can differentiate between the likelihood of one image's direct relation to the story and another's use for illustrative purposes. "NOT a real photo of Ephraim and What's-his-name's handshake." NO SHIT. That is peak condescension right there, good lord. Just label the "real photos" as such, and we'll assume the others are stock images used to spruce up the storytelling experience.
@@MikeP2055 That is well and good and I have thought the same. But then again due to some of these stories being so strange and I have seen several real photos that most would assume are not real that I have come to accept the captions.
I was not aware of the actual death toll of this tragic event. My heart goes out to the survivors. Thank you for giving these stories such depth on a personal level.
Ahhhh! The story of Lake Nyos... Cameroonian here🇨🇲 Learning about this event when I was in primary school gave me chills. Another take on the Lake Nyos explosion which was much more culturally spread and that we find even in story books, they say it was the Goddess of the lake who was angry at the villagers for not making their annual sacrifice properly... This happened because the chief of the village had gone "missing" (we don't say a traditional ruler is dead, we say he is missing) and the rightful heir to the throne had abandoned his duties, so his brother and the elders of the village came together and did the sacrifice. But because the person leading the sacrifice wasn't the Heir to the throne, the Goddess of the lake found it disrespectful and thus she erupted from the lake and went into the village and killed everyone. Other accounts of survivors also tell of visions of a woman apearring on the Lake days and weeks before the gas explosion. The woman is said to be the Goddess of the Lake Edit: I wanna add to this. fter the explosion, locals found a way to explain the situation in a way that made sense to them, however, that didn't stop the government from taking measures. First the surrounding villages (both affected and not affected) were evacuated to safer places, then the scientist came in and set up a system that evacuate the gas from the bottom of the lake, preventing a gas build and subsequent explosion. The lake is also monitored closely.
It was called Lake overturn I believe. Also I read that they installed pipes on the lake floor leading to the surface that helped the lake breathe so to speak (to help avoid carbon dioxide build up). It’s truly terrifying. The lake exhales and an entire village drops dead. Mother Nature is terrifying
You might be thinking of a similar but different situation. There's a lake that builds up methane. It overturned once too. Since that was discovered, they installed pipes and they actually use the methane in the lake for cooking and such.
On April Fool's day you should make a video about a totally normal occurance, like someone walking outside to get their mail, where nothing of note happens. You're such a talented storyteller that I bet we'd all be sitting on the edge of our chairs the whole time and not realize we were pranked until the video was over. :)
Never heard this particular story, but as soon as you mentioned the lake I knew what happened. A co2 discharge. It doesn't even have to be a volcanic lake for this to happen. A deep, still lake with no continua inflow or outflow with a lot of bio decay, usually plant material can experience what's called a turnover. Eventually to co2 level builds to the point where the weight of the water can't keep it in suspension and the cork pops...so to speak.
6:20 This is why I love this guy. People could dismiss Ephrim's fleeing as simple cowardice... But MrB.Allen as a former navy seal, a brave, brave, brave man, and someone who has seen death's face while serving our country, is so humble in his empathy for fellow human beings. Your perspective on these types of stories are invaluable! Thank you!
Same. If it was just the humans that died I would've thought it was some sort of virus or military experiment... but with EVERYTHING dying (even the mosquitoes) my mind went to some sort of natural gas explosion.. And sure enough... Once MrBallen said volcanic crater I was like, "Ah, that explains it." Volcanos release a lot of carbon dioxide (although humans emit a lot more lol). It probably built up over time contained by the lake and then boom.
Prob not accurate to say 7 million, not everyone subbed is returning for the uploads every time. Recent videos have 2-3 million views after multiple weeks, a month, if those 7 million were returning and watching those views would skyrocket in days. Also those numbers include those not subbed.
@@donotcomply665 I’m not a doctor so this is just a guess, but it was probably due to being poisoned. One of the side effects is confusion, so that coupled with most likely shock will probably make someone do things in an order that isn’t completely logical, or even not consider things that someone would normally consider.
As an avid watcher of your videos, I never would have imagined you'd do a video of Lake Nyos in my country. I will definitely watch this one with my family, because you have such a great way of telling stories!
I remember this in the news. You, however, really brought it home to me what it must have been like to have been a survivor of this tragedy and to wake up one morning and find everyone in your whole world dead.
the thing that makes mrballen special is that he tells stories as if he was there at the scene. he describes people's emotions as if he was there with them, it's like he survived all these events and now we are sitting down a fire and listening to his crazy survival story, great work like always
Stop ot goddammit how Many people will keep on praising him We know he's good. But pls Stop the bootlicking dammit just talk about the video and tje story but man
Yep. I love how he goes all in and always give each story his all and does this while still remaining respectful to the victims and their families. I also love how he never gets to much into his opinions and what he thinks may or may not have happened or didn't happen
Lake Nyos is one of the cases I'm absolutely fascinated by. I'm so glad you finally covered it! RIP to the 1,746 human lives lost, as well as well as all the animals.
The Lake Nyos event is absolutely horrifying, like your entire family is dead, your friends are dead, every single animal around you is dead, the world around you is silent, like I don’t even know what I’d personally do in that situation, just everything is silent, everyone and every living thing is dead? That’s a whole level of fear I wouldn’t be able to wrap my head around or even attempt to understand.
What's terrifying for me are the accounts about Lake Nyos I've read, how even the insects were dead. Mosquitoes, flies, grasshoppers, too. With all the dead bodies and the sound of flies is lacking? That would be incredibly unsettling to see and not hear so much as a buzz.
Hi Mr Sazza, Something I found interesting is that Ephrem was so mind numb that I think anyone who experienced such a thing would be same as to not be able to react with fear at all!!! Until after they got to fresh air then that is when the fear sets in!!! It may be a kind of slight MERCY from the effects to the remaining Co2 left in the area!!! TERRIBLE!!! JUST TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!
Rest in peace to everyone that passed away. I’m glad I heard this story because now I’ll definitely be staying away from Crater Lake. This is a heartbreaking story:(( Especially for Joseph passing out and then waking up and realizing that your child is gone and you’ll see or hear them again:((
Do yourself a favor and do some research first before you start blaming other lakes who may or may not have that danger…… I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact that every place and situation is different and try to keep an open mind because you might be missing out on a fantastic adventure because of a minuscule chance it could happen if it can happen here in oregon at all or not (I will now be doing my own research because I have been to crater lake and loved it - but won’t be going blind now that I have some info that may or may not exist….. but I would rather know if possible just in case that info is needed)
@@jocelynschmalenberger6962 Uh No I’ve been missing out because I’m scared of water that’s why. I can’t be in water for long so I’d never step a foot in Crater Lake cause it’s deep😭😭😭
For everyone asking why he didn't check on his own family, the answer is towards the end when the symptoms of poisoning are talked about. Dizziness, confusion, he was in an altered state of mind.
Now they use long straw-like pipes to vent the gases at the bottom of the lake more slowly over time, hopefully preventing as many massive inversion events. Some stats point to Lake Nyos being degassed to about 80 percent of the level after the 1986 explosion and Lake Monoun being nearly completely degassed. Great storytelling, ty!
As soon as the video started, I knew where this was going. I couldn't imagine how it could make for a 25 minute story, but knowing Mr. Ballen, I listened along anyways. Worth every minute! Keep delivering the strange, dark, and mysterious in story format Mr. B. and I'll be there for all of it.
This happened all the time near Southport, Florida. My grandfather lived next to a beach there since 1938. I said to him one day in the early 2000s when I lived with him, "what was that sound"? He said that the boom I heard wasn't Tyndall Air force base, it was trapped gas escaping the bay near where we lived. He said it happened frequently. I thought how the hell does that work and quasi-believed him. Now I know he was a very wise man.
I live in the area you speak of- how can that happen in the bay? I’ve heard of it happening in lakes, but the bay doesn’t structurally fit the typical place these events occur. You’ve got me on a mission to find out now! When this is over, I’m off to Google…😀
I just found this channel yesterday, and I am so impressed at John`s presentation of these stories . He has a gift as a narrator, and a historian of sorts, that I am totally engrossed in the whole production of content. It has to be some of the best content You Tube has ever had. I am hooked like a junkie for more of it. And the fact that he donates profits is so selfless and cool , I don`t know how he finds time to do all of these stories. An amazing man. We need more Mr. Ballen`s in this world. Thank you John, you rock!
You really have to appreciate the thoroughness of Mr Ballens videos. Not only does he research every little fact he credits every photo and breaks down numbers for both the metric and standard systems. And if the pic is just there to illustrate the story he let's you know that too. Thank you for all the great stories man!
he kinda failed in his research at the very end when he claimed it could happen again any time. they have constructed devices at the lake to safely release the CO2 gradually and keep it from ever building up to the levels that would allow this to happen. if he had done his research he would have mentioned that it won't happen again at Nyos but that there is another lake many times larger that has the same issue and it could happen there instead. if it did happen there the death toll would likely be in the millions
@John Guerriero Yea I'm already subbed to Why Files. Solid production at that channel, but Why Files are all Ex Hollywood producers/ writers so it's almost to be expected that they have a professional looking channel. Mr. Ballen is ex military and I'm pretty sure the extent of his team is his wife and mother/ mother inlaw helping. Makes it a bit more impressive that he's going the extra mile to ensure any and all credit is given.
You really can't make that statement unless you actually fact check the story yourself. Mr Ballen has no legal obligation to be completely truthful. He isn't giving testimony in a court of law, he's telling a story.
I'm just gonna say, having never heard this story before, when the first dead bodies were mentioned, the first thing that entered my mind was poisonous gas. I can't believe I called it! Also, hearing the number of people and animals!? That is insane. How does anyone recover from that?
Oh my lord this is so sad.all those poor people dying and the survivors must be totally traumatised.I’ve never heard this story before so thanks for bringing it to our attention..on a side note you are the best storyteller i have ever came across.you have an amazing talent.
Yessss!! It's Sunday which means it's the best day of the TH-cam week when *THE BEST* storyteller tells us more *strange, dark and mysterious* content 🥳🙏 Thankyou Mr Ballen, I LOVE all of your content ❤️
I know he was confused and couldn't get his bearings but I kept thinking "go check on your kids". I'm so happy they survived. So sad the other ppl didnt. You are a wonderful story teller and I enjoy your channel greatly.
His fear of the ghosts might've saved his life since it caused him to build his house away from the lake and also motivated him to get the hell outta there lol
@imacryptid5254 - re: "lol" = What is so funny about your statement? Or do you paste that meaningless "lol" when using social media ... to appear "cool." Ehhh?
I took geology as a course in high school as well as a point of study in college, and as soon as I read this title I knew exactly what this story was about. All I ever knew was the raw scientific data about these events, thank you for bringing the human component to light, it was entirely too terrifying and heart-rending. While being a near-perfect environment for life, our planet is scary as hell, and stories like this are the best examples.
I never took a geology course, but I saw a mini documentary on this story once and also immediately knew what it would be about. I hope all the survivors and the families of the victims have found peace after this horrific tragedy
To me, it seems like a much more scary and plausible version if "The Happening". Not so much dumb as 'It's the plants getting revenge with the wind and we're spoiling it in the beginning." but just the build up of a character who then wakes up after a strange night to find just about everyone dead in their town/city/village. Like this could be a much more compelling movie than that crap M. Night Shamallama-ding-dong put out.
I really miss the 3 story videos. Unbelievable 3 story's, 3 story behind photos or videos, 3 places you can't go and go anyways we need more of these !!
This could be made into such an amazing movie based on true events, which could also be used as a way to warn people about this danger. Thanks for the video!
Saw this movie years ago as a child called Dante’s Peak. It was about a volcano exploding and the villagers nearby not realizing anything. It traumatized for years, so hearing this story today makes me feel so incredibly sad. RIP to all of the victims and my condolences to the survivors.
I went camping with my year group in Hong Kong, and Dante’s Peak was the movie the teachers decided was appropriate for a bunch of 11 and 12 year olds. For those who don’t know, HK is very, VERY mountainous, and to a group of children, they look very much like volcanoes. None of us slept that night.
I remember this. I was 28 at the time. It was a bizarre event for sure. I don't think anyone could dream that people would die from a lake's gigantic flatulence.
Mr Ballen putting out OG content is exactly what I have been hoping for. You’re a great storyteller, please continue these strange, dark, and mysterious stories. 😊
I actually learned about this story in a limnology class during my Biology bachelor's... It's a tragic event, yet it's fascinating from a scientific standpoint. Thank you for sharing the human component of the story!
Pretty crazy to think how the supernatural story almost lines up with the scientific answer. A group of villagers get drowned in the bottom of their lake, and their ghosts attack the village and kill everyone, as opposed to CO2 being trapped at the bottom of the lake and eventually being released and killing everyone.
I'm Cameroonian so I already knew this story. But the perspective you told it from made it feel completely new. This is how this story should be told. It truly was a tragic event. The place is basically a desert These days... Also your pronunciation of Nyos is so American haha
Therapist: So, how are you feeling today? Me: If you're a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format, then you've come to the right place.
Also I just wanted to add that I ABSOLUTLY love this channel and Im so thankful for MrBallen and the hard work and dedication he provides to all us followers. Godspeed to you and your family.
I’m a person who is nearing forty years old, but it is as if I’m in kindergarten when new content is released on this channel. It often feels as if it’s time to sit in a big circle on the thin carpet in the middle of the classroom for story time. I knew what had happened when hearing the very beginning of this story, and yet I still hung on to every word. I’d not heard it explained in this way before in any retelling. John will likely never “run out” of things to cover just because of how he approaches the explanations of the topics he covers. Which honestly is a good thing. It allows these situations to continue to be remembered and keeps the memories of those affected alive. Those who work to put the “stories” together- the writers, the editors, et cetera- are doing an amazing job. Even if the stories have artistic freedoms within them, they are still being presented in a kind and compassionate manner. And, if there happens to be a video that doesn’t “sit right” with anyone involved with the story itself…the videos are either re-edited or even removed altogether. Much respect to those who work to make John’s videos on TH-cam, his podcast, and the content on other platforms. Now, who was supposed to bring snacks for today’s story time? I hope it’s cookies!
Practice makes perfect. I am 41 years old now until May 6, and I somewhat feel the same way when hearing these types of stories. And I love how Mr. Ballen tells these stories. He's right to the point, never repeating what he already mentioned, and he talks fast to not delay in saying anything. He's one of my few perfect "true stories" story tellers.
The truly scary thing is that there are dozens of bodies of water all around the globe that have various toxic gases trapped in solution like this... It is very likely something like this will happen again somewhere, sometime. Wonderfully told John, you are an absolute genius at delivering information to people. Thank you for another great video!
@@pseudophp wherever volcanic activity is i live in germany not too far from the eifel and ive been to volcanic lakes that produce this effect. Though on a much smaller scale we actually have at least one that i know of Maria laach that presumably killed 17 jesuit monks between 1864-1888 . To this day small animals living around it just die sometimes
I actually heard about this tragedy years ago and still wanted to hear your rendition of it. I wasn’t disappointed. Honestly one of the crazier natural disasters. The only warning you have is the sound and it would require advanced knowledge of the physical geography to know if it’s a potential CO2 threat. Really trippy.
I studied this in college to great length. Many lakes in this region now have pipes that extend to their depths, they act like a pressure release valve.
I remember learning about this (or an earlier one) in the late 90's. It stuck with me because of how horrible it was and scary to think about. Our planet is a wild place
This is so heartbreaking. People dying and they had no idea why. Some people went to their deaths thinking it was a curse. The whole area should be cordoned off as a biohazard zone but I guess they can’t force folks to leave. Another compelling story with a bizarre, albeit scientifically explained, twist. Thanks, Mr. Ballen.
@@thewhitefalcon8539 it takes 40 people to curse one person and he's done as promised by God hence why we have to be humble to others and not pissed them off
I survived a mass shooting while tripping on acid at a music festival, i honestly got emotional when you talked about how nobody had believed him, I can’t imagine what he felt like, I remember when I was running in chaos screaming at people to turn around, they thought I was playing some sick twisted joke or maybe just could tell I was hallucinating so they didn’t take me seriously, it wrenched my soul, I started to question what was even going on but I had just watched people get shot and screaming and panic but so many people were telling me I was tripping I thought I was for a while but I was so scared, finally like 7 hours later after we were led into the main stages I see cops and helicopters and finally realized it was real but the feeling of not knowing and people arguing with me over something so serious and scary still hurts my soul to this day.
Well done, I've heard this story a hundred times. You did it in an original way and really sucked me in. It's really good story telling when you get invested that much in a story you know so well. Here's to many more years of it!
Mr. Ballen could make a story about some random guy taking out the trash seem like the most interesting thing to ever happen. Best storyteller on TH-cam. Hands down.
Doesn't matter how long I follow your content I truly get immersed and pulled into a false reality where everything becomes just extremely surreal and vivid! That's the kind of storytelling you do sir, keep it up! P.s. extra credit because you managed to even do it with horror. 😂🤣
Man it’s kind of surreal to think his grandfathers story of the ghosts haunting lower Nyos is what saved his family’s future generation. If it wasn’t for Ephram building his house in upper nyos to avoid the haunting of those spirits he may have been closer to the lake and would’ve otherwise not survived the disaster.
I also wonder if the story came from bad things happening to people close to the lake because of the gas and this legend was the only way they could explain it.
@@xRockbandObsessionx I was wondering this myself! So many things in mythology can be correlated to actual events. The fact that the grandfather's story specifically references the bottom of the lake really caught my attention. A small volcanic eruption would both trigger crashing waves in the lake *and* a release of the gas! It's a fascinating idea.
@Karla Lara just like an urban or i this case Rural Legand... all come from somewhere or an unexplained phenomenon, its safe to assume over the millions of years people have been in Africa This lake has released this Co2 before!
@@xRockbandObsessionx Seems like an almost certainty. Most spiritual or religious events have scientific explanations but without the scientific knowledge, the supernatural is usually used to explain.
Because of the way you tell each story, I feel like I was there every time! Such a picturesque expression gives each story a special tone and voice to the people who were a part of them! Every story seems like a movie with listeners as the movie extras. Congrats on 7+ million subs 🥳
Thank you for continuing your TH-cam channel! I appreciate how your heart is still in it just as much as before you began your podcasts.. it’s obvious you are dedicated to delivering us the best version of a story possible, your passion for what you do is amazing. Thank you for the entertainment and especially for your service to our country! ❤
I imagined it was radiation to start considering the clothes being torn off. I wasn't aware CO2 poisoning had those specific side effects. This whole story is horrifying. It really does sound like something supernatural the way you described the experience.
@@Ynnej55 There was another comment here that was one of those, "You have won a prize, call this number" things. It seems to have disappeared after being reported as scam, so maybe the system does work?
At some point I am grateful to have discovered you last week through a friend. It has given me something to binge on. And the best part is I can just listen without necessarily watching cause for me the scary images affect me. But I am able to listen when walking or designing or writing. Lots of love to you and your family. You won this Kenyan heart over who is subscribed to only 8 channels🤣. I pray that the families healed. Thank you for this great work. It helps me appreciate life as it is and in the moment
Try Bailey Sarian! She's another very entertaining true story teller who has videos that don't require you actually watch them! Just a suggestion hunny! Stay Safe🙏🏻
It took me about a minute to realize what this story was about. I remember discussing this with my high school biology teacher back in 1993, about how that lake was almost literally a ticking bomb.
Brilliant, compassionate rendition of a confusing, heartbreaking situation. I'm old enough to remember this occurrence. It was terrible. Most felt helpless in the face of such an overwhelming tragedy with a seemingly unknown genesis. Thank you for reminding us that we are humans, that we are connected and should not forget the deaths of 1700 innocents, even accidental.
This story is like a recurring nightmare that I have. Me being the only person alive in a town full of dead people and trying to find someone who is alive. To hear that someone else actually lived my nightmares is extra scary, especially told in such detail by Mr. Ballen. 👍🏼
The truly scariest part is that since this happened AND WE KNOW it happened, then it can obviously happen again somewhere else... The reality is that these events are very rare. They're also (quite likely) among the reasons the older fashioned miners kept canaries and candles in mine-shafts underground. Poisonous gas has long been suspected of killing people from underground, so when you're digging deeply into the ground, it seems reasonable to keep things like delicate fires (candle) that require oxygen the way we do, and small animals (for the same reasons) in case the gas comes... If the canary ever "goes quiet" you know it's dangerous... It DOES make one wonder, though... How many OTHER weird superstitious nonsense ideas were created to explain rare natural events that killed a bunch of people before anyone had even a lousy method to prevent or fight against it??? ;o)
@Oceaneyes dreams can be a real pain in the butt. The "benign" ones are indecipherable (wtf did those dolphins say to me?!?), and the "toxic" ones leave me checking to see if my foot is still attached to my leg (which I actually did that 2 mornings ago). I have _really_ weird dreams. I sometimes wish they would cease.
@@St.Linguini_of_Pesto As a lucid dreamer, I feel for you... BUT you should "sit ringside" for some of the crazy sh*t that goes on in those weird instances when I (as a lucid dreamer) actually have a full-on nightmare... hahaha... ;o)
@@St.Linguini_of_Pesto I understand what it's like having lucid dreams like that. I understand how you feel it can be so traumatic for you because you can't process the ightmares. I hope that you stop having dreams like that.
@@gnarthdarkanen7464 I do feel sorry for you having horrible dreams. I get them myself. I hope that you stop having bad dreams and only have good dreams
The way he tells stories is beyond "good". He is a literally phenomenal at it. Way to use your gift and turn it into a lucrative way for u to entertain millions of people 👍
@@MrBallen I have watched every single one of your videos, listened to all of your amazing podcasts and can confirm you are an absolute legend and so humble welcoming and down to earth. Every time a notification comes up about you, the day just gets a whole letter better. Also it's my birthday on 27th january 2023, if possible could I request a birthday shout out OR ' The next time the like buttons asks for a day out, tell them your going to the zoo, an secretly fill their pockets with peanuts, so the elephants grab the like button into their enclosure and proceed to slap him with their trunks' 😂🤣
But to see someone talk about this event in more detail brings me joy. It brings me joy because I know those many men, women, children, and animals are not forgotten and left in the past. I'm sure the people of Cameroon appreciate your efforts to tell people about this event and carrying on the memory of all those who lost their lives. You have my thanks for creating this video.
Your storytelling is fkn immaculate!!! *"IMPECCABLE!!!"* The way you tell these stories is as if you was RIGHT THERE THE ENTIRE TIME!! How you describe what they was doing, what they was thinking, how they was moving..... *"ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS!!!"*
I don’t think I’ve ever stopped what I was doing to just say “…damn” as many times as I did with this story. So sad, I can’t imagine the nightmare of waking up to a scene like that. 😢 Sounds like a story out of the x-files.
Would have never known about this event had it not been for Mr. Ballen telling this heartbreaking story. Thank you so much for your channel and the amazing way you tell these stories, I can picture it all as if I'm there.
Yes i have known this story for the past 6 years and this is one of the most dangerous limnic reaction to ever happen The way u told this story it just felt like it was something I didn't know in the first place. Thank you so much Uncle... Lately i am having quite a stressed time due to my upcoming Board Exams in India and ur Story telling of the real events r just awesome and whenever I am bored after studying for a long time I just come across ur channel to just listen to this mysteries, ghosts and dark stories. Keep on telling this stories Uncle! Love from India 🇮🇳
What a terrifying story. I hope people in the Nyos area remain safe in these tragic times. Thanks so much for sharing these stories not only about the past but help us as listeners keep in mind real-life events that occur in today’s society. God bless you and your family!
I don't know, if people can just go to a place where they know they can just drop dead one day, including those who survived such event, i believe they deserve whatever destiny they may end up with
@@hasturthekinginyellow5003 Many times it's related to *finances* sadly --- or maybe the situation is like an old folk, who wants to die at *home* where they were born and grew up with fond memories, instead of a hospital or an elderly home. Life, you know? *Blessings.*
This is almost hard to believe such a tragedy. I can't believe people would still choose to live there. Thank you and Lungy for another great story Mr Ballen
They love it probably for the same reasons probably that anyone lies to live anywhere. The lake is now kept at bay by use of a degassing device that releases the co2 from the bottom so that this don’t repeat. So they probably figure they are safe and they have been since 86. :)
I've heard this story before, but the way Mr Ballen helps you to immerse in the story and the absolute fear you would feel, if you woke up one day to find your entire town/village dead
Surprisingly, I'd never heard about this incident before, so this episode really kept me on the edge of my seat. My first guess was some type of chemical warfare, but then I thought of volcanic gasses, which ended up basically being the right answer. Well done MrBallen! This is a new favorite video.
I hate to be the sceptic, but I still think it's highly plausible this was someone testing some form of chemical weapon. It's happened before, governments even test on their own people. A cloud of CO2 seems very unlikely, given that there is nothing to hold it in any form of cloud, it would disperse rapidly, it's not a toxic gas.
This story was absolutely heart-wrenching. I can't even imagine waking up to something like this. That poor man! How lucky is he though that his whole family was still alive? That is a miracle in itself. Those people over there have to go through so much! Probably the only way they managed to survive this with their mind intact. Still, it just breaks my heart.
As Yucai Yee said, it's because they lived above the lake rather than below it. The people there experienced milder CO2 exposure and Ephriam was one of the first to wake up, dizzy and confused due to oxygen starvation in the brain but alive. I read about this years ago and it is one of the most haunting stories I've met, also spoken from Ephriam's perspective - presumably because he was one of the first to recover from the incident, so he experienced the brunt of the aftermath.
Reminds me of the chemical gas attacks Saddam Husseins goons did on the Kurdish city of Halabja, back in the 80s. The gas smelled sweet and fruity, apparently. People came out sniffing it, and almost the whole village dropped dead that day. Many of the people that lived had life-long health conditions because of the gas. Glad that evil man is gone.
His family survived because, due to the fear their family had of the ghosts his grandparent used to talk about, they built their house high up the hill, further away from the lake.
This video made me appreciate Mr. Ballen’s storytelling even more. I know this event. I knew exactly where we’d end up. But the angle he took to get there still kept it fresh and interesting. Great work, as always.
I remember when this happened. I was 18 and at that age, I could appreciate and understand how devastating and awful this tragedy really was. Those innocent people had NO idea they were going to die that night. At least most didn't suffer and that's a blessing. It's definitely a comfort knowing that. 😥💔
I'm Canadian and I had pen pals in public and high school. One from Australia named Heather and one from Cameroon named Louis. Louis and I had been pen pals for almost 5 years when the Lake Nyos disaster happened. I have photos of Louis posing beside Lake Nyos. He was k1lled in the tragedy. 11 years later, when I gave birth to my son, I named him Connor Louis in honour of my pen pal. Rest in peace, my friend. You are missed and will not be forgotten.❤🩹💔❤
Very touching story.❤️
I'm sorry for your loss. I have lots of long term friends I've never seen in person and they're so dear to my heart my world would break if they died.
What a lovely story and touching gesture
My goodness how sad! But how very sweet of you to honor his memory in that way!! I'm sure he would be very proud!
You mind sharing the pictures you have of your friend next to the lake ?
I was a journalism student at the time this happened in my country, Cameroon, and it was a scary and confusing event. The conspiracy theories around the Lake Nyos incident prevailed for a very long time because of the politics in the country - as in, one faction is trying to wipe out the other. It was especially puzzling since we do not associate volcanoes and volcanic activities with that area of the country. There was a baby who survived in that village and he was named "Moses" by the Press. Thanks to TH-camrs like MrBallen and others, many Cameroonians now understand what happened at Lake Nyos.
ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ғᴀɴ☝️☝️
ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ🎁🎁
ᴍᴇssᴀɢᴇ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🎊🎊⬆️⬆️↗️🎉🎉↗️↗️…
how did the baby survive you think when grown people couldnt?
@@mryupjup2203 from what I've learned about this, and a few other cases.
The gas is heavier than the air, so it's low to the ground. Where most people there might sleep.
I can see the baby being put in a hammock so it can't crawl around. If so the child was higher up and didn't inhale the poison gases.
In one a boy that was on a very small hill watching the sheep survived, but almost his whole village died. If I remember correctly that one was somewhere in Africa.
@@RedCeltay That makes enough sense for me to sleep at night lmao. Thx for taking the time to respond :]
@@mryupjup2203 the same way the other adults did I would guess
I am Cameroonian and this story is true. On the day of this incident my mum was 18 years old and was behind a bike on her way to collect her first salary as a nurse% she was excited and then the explosion happened. The biker (an old) told her not to continue the journey she ended up spending the night at a community hall before getting the information the next morning that everyone is just dying. No one knew why and she ran back to town. If she didn’t listened to the old man I won’t be alive today and you won’t be reading this comment. May the souls that where lost that day Rest In Perfect Peace ❤ Edited Tomorrow I celebrate my 30 years Birthday.
Happy birthday! God guided your mother that day. He has a purpose for you. Have you learned what it is in the last 30 years?
I'm a bit late, but happy 30th birthday!
@@zadieb5273 no it was obviously the Old person
Happy belated birthday! I’m glad your mom listened. I can only imagine how horrific that must have been
I hope your birthday was awesome, and say luck cuz damn
This is the terrifying story of Lake Nyos of my country Cameroon. As kids we woke up to the news that left the nation weeping. The effects are still felt until date. Thanks for sharing our story.
So tragic, my heart goes out to you.
I love how MrBallen humanizes the people whose stories he tells. He gives his viewers a real sense of empathy.
@MrBallen9394i’ve*
@@strangeayy8025 not the real ballen bro
Which makes the story more terrifying to listen too. That's absolutely fucked, I know.
anyone else notice he has already done this story?
@@zee-fr5kw Not in psychopaths, but it does in most normal people (aka neurotypical).
The terrible disaster at Lake Nyos is a famous story that has been told many times, but it has never been brought to life in chilling detail as it has by the excellent storytelling of Mr. Ballen. Kudos sir!
He has such a way of bringing compassion and humanizing the victims of these terrible crimes/circumstances. It’s a talent for sure!
Dude's gotta real talent for telling riveting stories. I've heard other youtubers tell some of the exact stories he does, but they don't quite keep you on the edge of your seat like Mr. B.Allen does.
Am a Cameroonian I was only a kid when this happened it was quite scary and confusing we were all scared to go to bed for couple of days. Thank you for given me more understanding. This means a lot us.
Africans full of superstition that's why its scary when you know the fact then you can understand.
Thank you so much for sharing. I must say I was surprised to find someone in the comment section who experienced the fear and confusion of this terrible tragedy first-hand. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a young person watching all of the adults around you confused and frightened as well as hearing many different stories and not knowing what really happened. This is a bit off topic but I have to say I am still thrilled to be able to communicate from my home in Vancouver Canada to someone all the way across the world in Cameroon. How wonderful that we are only separated by clicking a couple of buttons. Sending you joyful blessings.
Much love mate, glad you got the answer and sorry you went through something so scary.
I'm sure, but probably the safest time was immediately after the release...all the CO2 was disappointed.
It was a section of the cliff that broke up fell into the lake and the disturbance freed the deadly gas from the bottom of the lake
Your story brings back the emotions
My dad grew up in that area and he lost a lot of childhood friends
I was 8 years old and I still remember how broken my dad was by the news of what happened at Nyos
Very sad
My Dad was one of the scientists they called to investigate this disaster. Thank you for telling this story as well as you did, this perspective makes the story very clear to me.
I hope your dad came up with something better than "unknown and unnatural"..
I could have come up with that scientific explanation sitting on my couch at home...
@@jerryboics9550LMFAOOOOOOOOOO
Methane Trap Lake?
whats a dad
@@justinperry8445 Ask the Mailman
I've seen docs on this disaster before, but your "man on the ground" focus on Ephraim really makes it personal. I was worried his family was dead, and now, I'm really happy for him that they were okay.
@Juan Ocampo Did your mother not give you enough attention?
Yeah I never heard about this event before but as soon as he mentioned the loud boom I knew it had to be some type of toxic gas from a seismic event. I live in an area with earthquakes so I've read about all kinds of strange thing that occur before and during an earthquake. There is even an event called EQL (earthquake lights) where it it appears like lights are coming out from the ground. When you have different types of rocks under high pressure, with free floating electrons, water and gases trapped, all kinds of strange things can occur. There is still a lot of research being done on this.
All I kept thinking was "ayyy, aren't you gonna go check on your own family!!!?"
@HEATHER HERBEST no, cause he didn't think straight, I thought that was obvious from how he was acting and perceiving things from CO² poisoning.
@Juan Ocampo Just because she said, that she's happy about his family being alive, that doesn't mean, she doesn't feel sad about the others dying.
If something ever strange, dark, or mysterious happens to me, I hope Mr Ballen finds out about it and puts it in a story format.
This. I can't imagine a more fitting epilogue than one from Mr. Ballen.
The saga of the running man who moved away.
Let's all just hope we DON'T end up in a Mr. Ballen episode one day 🤣 Actually, on second thought, I'd be dead anyways, so have at it!
👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 🫠
Thats the dream.
Thank you Mr Ballen. I'm Cameroonian and I've been listening to your stories since 2019. Hearing a story about an event in my country and Region of origin, gives me much joy. Many don't really know the real story behind this tragedy. Thank you for telling us this story in great detail... An alarm has been placed around the lake in order to warn the villagers in case deadly amounts of these gases are realeased. I hope I get to teach you how to pronounce 'Nyos' like a Cameroonian 🤗
Nyos is one syllable 🤣🤣🤣
@@bihmukongu6541 like nyo-s instead of ny-os?
I’m so glad they put alarms up to warn people if the CO2 levels get too high. At least another tragedy like this can be avoided.
@@jameskazd9951french being one of the official languages there
I guess it's pronounced like "KneeOs", all in one syllable
@@jokeair1615I can't get it down to one syllable in my head. 😢
I really appreciate that Mr. B takes the time and energy to label pictures as "Real photo" and "NOT Real photo"...it shows his integrity.
I find it insulting to his audience's intelligence. I can differentiate between the likelihood of one image's direct relation to the story and another's use for illustrative purposes. "NOT a real photo of Ephraim and What's-his-name's handshake." NO SHIT. That is peak condescension right there, good lord. Just label the "real photos" as such, and we'll assume the others are stock images used to spruce up the storytelling experience.
Hahaha
Real photo of a baboon!
@@MikeP2055 your kidding right?
@@MikeP2055 That is well and good and I have thought the same. But then again due to some of these stories being so strange and I have seen several real photos that most would assume are not real that I have come to accept the captions.
I was not aware of the actual death toll of this tragic event. My heart goes out to the survivors. Thank you for giving these stories such depth on a personal level.
Oh no, a bunch of dead Africans… a very over populated group.
They make us really appreciate our lives
Ahhhh! The story of Lake Nyos... Cameroonian here🇨🇲
Learning about this event when I was in primary school gave me chills.
Another take on the Lake Nyos explosion which was much more culturally spread and that we find even in story books, they say it was the Goddess of the lake who was angry at the villagers for not making their annual sacrifice properly... This happened because the chief of the village had gone "missing" (we don't say a traditional ruler is dead, we say he is missing) and the rightful heir to the throne had abandoned his duties, so his brother and the elders of the village came together and did the sacrifice. But because the person leading the sacrifice wasn't the Heir to the throne, the Goddess of the lake found it disrespectful and thus she erupted from the lake and went into the village and killed everyone.
Other accounts of survivors also tell of visions of a woman apearring on the Lake days and weeks before the gas explosion. The woman is said to be the Goddess of the Lake
Edit: I wanna add to this.
fter the explosion, locals found a way to explain the situation in a way that made sense to them, however, that didn't stop the government from taking measures.
First the surrounding villages (both affected and not affected) were evacuated to safer places, then the scientist came in and set up a system that evacuate the gas from the bottom of the lake, preventing a gas build and subsequent explosion. The lake is also monitored closely.
I’m of Cameroonian descent and I never heard of it. I’ll have to ask my mom
@@bobococo89 You should ask her, you'll be in for a tale
😂😂😂such bullshi*
Thank you for mentioning the name of the country. I hate the fact he didn't mentioned it in the story. I knew I would find someone like you.
@@maiterapatsa6549 why is it ok for one person to mention the name of the country but not the other?
It was called Lake overturn I believe. Also I read that they installed pipes on the lake floor leading to the surface that helped the lake breathe so to speak (to help avoid carbon dioxide build up). It’s truly terrifying. The lake exhales and an entire village drops dead. Mother Nature is terrifying
That could’ve been what have happened. And it’s possible this can happen again
Poetic way of putting it ! Yes Mother Nature is beautiful and deadly !
You might be thinking of a similar but different situation. There's a lake that builds up methane. It overturned once too. Since that was discovered, they installed pipes and they actually use the methane in the lake for cooking and such.
"mother nature" is not sentient. Nature is terrifying.
It's called limnic eruption. I don't know if those people ever tried swimming in there or if they noticed anything.
On April Fool's day you should make a video about a totally normal occurance, like someone walking outside to get their mail, where nothing of note happens. You're such a talented storyteller that I bet we'd all be sitting on the edge of our chairs the whole time and not realize we were pranked until the video was over. :)
Love it 😂
That would be hilarious😂
Please do this
" if youre a fan of that sort of thing, please invite the like button to your birthday, and treat it fairly and respectfully throughout "
@@aaronbrown1638 lol!
Never heard this particular story, but as soon as you mentioned the lake I knew what happened. A co2 discharge. It doesn't even have to be a volcanic lake for this to happen. A deep, still lake with no continua inflow or outflow with a lot of bio decay, usually plant material can experience what's called a turnover. Eventually to co2 level builds to the point where the weight of the water can't keep it in suspension and the cork pops...so to speak.
Oh so one must stay careful around still lakes
It burped. Tho with 1700 people dead I would call it a belch.
Yes I guessed it too
yeah, apparently this can happen in aquariums too
Happens with methane gas in a lot of lakes in the north as well. It's crazy what people don't realize is going on when they can't see the perpetrator.
6:20 This is why I love this guy. People could dismiss Ephrim's fleeing as simple cowardice... But MrB.Allen as a former navy seal, a brave, brave, brave man, and someone who has seen death's face while serving our country, is so humble in his empathy for fellow human beings. Your perspective on these types of stories are invaluable! Thank you!
Good point
🙏🙏🙏
Um... If everyone died via something Mysterious and Invisible, you Run!!!
ah yes, those "people" that you definitely didn't just make up for the comment lol. you got a reply from mrballen though, so well done
you forgot a spot lmao, left side of the ass
The fact that I've never heard about this story is crazy. This is easily the most bizarre natural disaster I have ever heard about.
Same. If it was just the humans that died I would've thought it was some sort of virus or military experiment... but with EVERYTHING dying (even the mosquitoes) my mind went to some sort of natural gas explosion.. And sure enough... Once MrBallen said volcanic crater I was like, "Ah, that explains it." Volcanos release a lot of carbon dioxide (although humans emit a lot more lol). It probably built up over time contained by the lake and then boom.
We're 2 years deep in "the strange, dark and mysterious," and over 7 million people are still fans, Cheers, Mr Ballen!
YAY MR BALLEN : )
Prob not accurate to say 7 million, not everyone subbed is returning for the uploads every time. Recent videos have 2-3 million views after multiple weeks, a month, if those 7 million were returning and watching those views would skyrocket in days. Also those numbers include those not subbed.
@@udalix🤓
@@udalix god thank u so much for educating everyone with that!!!! jeez what would we all have done without that correction!
Fan for life
Finding out that Ephriam's family survived and he managed to be reunited with them at the end was a silver lining to the tragic and brutal incident.
ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ғᴀɴ☝️☝️
ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ🎁🎁
ᴍᴇssᴀɢᴇ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🎊🎊⬆️⬆️↗️🎉🎉↗️↗️…
Yes but even so they moved back into the village despite warnings.
@@rainluna9765 well some people are so hooked on to sentimentality that they just don't care. I mean just look at Pripyat and Centralia.
When he first encountered the screaming, I wonder why he didn't go back for his kids?
@@donotcomply665 I’m not a doctor so this is just a guess, but it was probably due to being poisoned. One of the side effects is confusion, so that coupled with most likely shock will probably make someone do things in an order that isn’t completely logical, or even not consider things that someone would normally consider.
As an avid watcher of your videos, I never would have imagined you'd do a video of Lake Nyos in my country. I will definitely watch this one with my family, because you have such a great way of telling stories!
I remember this in the news. You, however, really brought it home to me what it must have been like to have been a survivor of this tragedy and to wake up one morning and find everyone in your whole world dead.
the thing that makes mrballen special is that he tells stories as if he was there at the scene. he describes people's emotions as if he was there with them, it's like he survived all these events and now we are sitting down a fire and listening to his crazy survival story, great work like always
Uh-huh. Okay.
Stop ot goddammit how Many people will keep on praising him
We know he's good. But pls Stop the bootlicking dammit just talk about the video and tje story but man
So true 👍
Yep. I love how he goes all in and always give each story his all and does this while still remaining respectful to the victims and their families. I also love how he never gets to much into his opinions and what he thinks may or may not have happened or didn't happen
Real
Lake Nyos is one of the cases I'm absolutely fascinated by. I'm so glad you finally covered it! RIP to the 1,746 human lives lost, as well as well as all the animals.
Clearly some kind of subterranean Gas Leak. Germany has a famous fossil site around a similar lake.
@@beneficent2557 That's the one I'd heard of.
@@VioletWhirlwind Walking with Prehistoric Beasts had an episode based on it.
Watch an old episode of Scorpion. The TV show. In it this kind of thing happened and they explain it.
I wonder how much of the wildlife in the forests perished.
The Lake Nyos event is absolutely horrifying, like your entire family is dead, your friends are dead, every single animal around you is dead, the world around you is silent, like I don’t even know what I’d personally do in that situation, just everything is silent, everyone and every living thing is dead? That’s a whole level of fear I wouldn’t be able to wrap my head around or even attempt to understand.
What's terrifying for me are the accounts about Lake Nyos I've read, how even the insects were dead. Mosquitoes, flies, grasshoppers, too. With all the dead bodies and the sound of flies is lacking? That would be incredibly unsettling to see and not hear so much as a buzz.
Hi Mr Sazza, Something I found interesting is that Ephrem was so mind numb that I think anyone who experienced such a thing would be same as to not be able to react with fear at all!!!
Until after they got to fresh air then that is when the fear sets in!!! It may be a kind of slight MERCY from the effects to the remaining Co2 left in the area!!! TERRIBLE!!!
JUST TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!
i know what id do, move away from the toxic lake.
Sounds like heaven to me
I've had realistic vivid dreams like that.
They were horrifying to say the least.
Rest in peace to everyone that passed away. I’m glad I heard this story because now I’ll definitely be staying away from Crater Lake. This is a heartbreaking story:(( Especially for Joseph passing out and then waking up and realizing that your child is gone and you’ll see or hear them again:((
Do yourself a favor and do some research first before you start blaming other lakes who may or may not have that danger…… I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact that every place and situation is different and try to keep an open mind because you might be missing out on a fantastic adventure because of a minuscule chance it could happen if it can happen here in oregon at all or not (I will now be doing my own research because I have been to crater lake and loved it - but won’t be going blind now that I have some info that may or may not exist….. but I would rather know if possible just in case that info is needed)
@@jocelynschmalenberger6962 Uh No I’ve been missing out because I’m scared of water that’s why. I can’t be in water for long so I’d never step a foot in Crater Lake cause it’s deep😭😭😭
Yeah Mia you’re being lakist
@@tajmahal4056 How? Cause I’m scared of water. That doesn’t make sense 😭😭😂. Are you joking lol 😂
@@miabarton3623 Lol I was being funny , Jocelyn made it seem so personal
For everyone asking why he didn't check on his own family, the answer is towards the end when the symptoms of poisoning are talked about. Dizziness, confusion, he was in an altered state of mind.
He knew they were alive because he spared them after killing everyone else.
@@gregory3499 shut up dude, you've replied nearly every comment
Now they use long straw-like pipes to vent the gases at the bottom of the lake more slowly over time, hopefully preventing as many massive inversion events. Some stats point to Lake Nyos being degassed to about 80 percent of the level after the 1986 explosion and Lake Monoun being nearly completely degassed. Great storytelling, ty!
Interesting..
Thanks for the update!
Great information!
That's good! But are they sure more CO2 isn't building up from volcanic activity underneath?
Thank you for sharing this! It's a relief to know preventative measures can and are being taken.
As soon as the video started, I knew where this was going. I couldn't imagine how it could make for a 25 minute story, but knowing Mr. Ballen, I listened along anyways. Worth every minute! Keep delivering the strange, dark, and mysterious in story format Mr. B. and I'll be there for all of it.
As soon as it started you knew there was a CO2 cloud released from the lake? Doubt.
Watching him waving his arms around wildly is a bit much. Geezus
@@EmperorNerox so you just want him to just sit still🤣
It's ALWAYS good, even his ads!
This was waaaay to long
This happened all the time near Southport, Florida. My grandfather lived next to a beach there since 1938. I said to him one day in the early 2000s when I lived with him, "what was that sound"? He said that the boom I heard wasn't Tyndall Air force base, it was trapped gas escaping the bay near where we lived. He said it happened frequently. I thought how the hell does that work and quasi-believed him. Now I know he was a very wise man.
I live in the area you speak of- how can that happen in the bay? I’ve heard of it happening in lakes, but the bay doesn’t structurally fit the typical place these events occur. You’ve got me on a mission to find out now! When this is over, I’m off to Google…😀
Hearing that Ephraim's family also survived was actually pretty awesome.
A bitter sweet revelation
yeah
agreed but i was stressed as hell the whole time thinking omg please run back and check your family first
@@kyle21843 same
Halleluיהרה!
I have heard the tragic story of Nyos before, but starting from Joseph's perspective. I can't imagine how horrible and frightening that would be.
This story checked every box for the strange, dark, and mysterious.
Thank you for delivering it in story format ❤
Sadly it’s a true story
@@Pete007 Coward! Write and delete.
I just found this channel yesterday, and I am so impressed at John`s presentation of these stories . He has a gift as a narrator, and a historian of sorts, that I am totally engrossed in the whole production of content. It has to be some of the best content You Tube has ever had. I am hooked like a junkie for more of it. And the fact that he donates profits is so selfless and cool , I don`t know how he finds time to do all of these stories. An amazing man. We need more Mr. Ballen`s in this world. Thank you John, you rock!
Not one other channel creates better quality stories. Keep up the amazing work
Thank you!!
You should watch The Why Files...he's Mr Ballens competition and AJ plus Hecklefish is amazing
@@MrBallen ❤ 7+ million Mr. Ballen! Congratulations 🎈🍾🎉! You’re fantastic! Thank you 😊
@@Inlinetodie The Why files is awesome too!
@@MrBallen WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU? YOU SOUND SO FAKE. SO COMMERCIALISED. I MISS THE OLD YOU!
You really have to appreciate the thoroughness of Mr Ballens videos. Not only does he research every little fact he credits every photo and breaks down numbers for both the metric and standard systems. And if the pic is just there to illustrate the story he let's you know that too. Thank you for all the great stories man!
he kinda failed in his research at the very end when he claimed it could happen again any time. they have constructed devices at the lake to safely release the CO2 gradually and keep it from ever building up to the levels that would allow this to happen. if he had done his research he would have mentioned that it won't happen again at Nyos but that there is another lake many times larger that has the same issue and it could happen there instead. if it did happen there the death toll would likely be in the millions
MrBallel is awesome I agree check out the WhyFiles with AJ and HeckleFish you will thank me later
@John Guerriero Yea I'm already subbed to Why Files. Solid production at that channel, but Why Files are all Ex Hollywood producers/ writers so it's almost to be expected that they have a professional looking channel. Mr. Ballen is ex military and I'm pretty sure the extent of his team is his wife and mother/ mother inlaw helping. Makes it a bit more impressive that he's going the extra mile to ensure any and all credit is given.
You really can't make that statement unless you actually fact check the story yourself. Mr Ballen has no legal obligation to be completely truthful. He isn't giving testimony in a court of law, he's telling a story.
I agree. My husband or I scream out, "Ballen!" everytime we see a new video is posted.
I'm just gonna say, having never heard this story before, when the first dead bodies were mentioned, the first thing that entered my mind was poisonous gas. I can't believe I called it! Also, hearing the number of people and animals!? That is insane. How does anyone recover from that?
I haven't gotten to the cause yet and when they said volcano....I went right to gasses from the volcano....
I assumed it was some large sound wave that killed almost everyone and the survivors were extremely dizzy when they woke up
I immediately said 'The Lake'!!
@@GhostSenpaiEdits I bet it was nefarious military activity using soundwave weapons.
I thought of those poison exploding lakes lol
Oh my lord this is so sad.all those poor people dying and the survivors must be totally traumatised.I’ve never heard this story before so thanks for bringing it to our attention..on a side note you are the best storyteller i have ever came across.you have an amazing talent.
Yessss!! It's Sunday which means it's the best day of the TH-cam week when *THE BEST* storyteller tells us more *strange, dark and mysterious* content 🥳🙏 Thankyou Mr Ballen, I LOVE all of your content ❤️
I know he was confused and couldn't get his bearings but I kept thinking "go check on your kids". I'm so happy they survived. So sad the other ppl didnt. You are a wonderful story teller and I enjoy your channel greatly.
I was thinking the same thing, what about your kids??
Me too!
@bina nocht i think so lol
No I'm a man and I thought just as U did
@@MrThomas864she was talking about the ones who had already commented.
His fear of the ghosts might've saved his life since it caused him to build his house away from the lake and also motivated him to get the hell outta there lol
ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ғᴀɴ☝️☝️
ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ🎁🎁
ᴍᴇssᴀɢᴇ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🎊🎊⬆️⬆️↗️🎉🎉↗️↗️
@imacryptid5254 - re: "lol" = What is so funny about your statement? Or do you paste that meaningless "lol" when using social media ... to appear "cool." Ehhh?
@@warriormanmaxx8991 It aint that deep
@@warriormanmaxx8991 It aint that deep
@@warriormanmaxx8991 bro what
Man imagine how awful it would be to crawl over your daughters bed, barely able to even move - and to find her dead. Thats just awful.
I took geology as a course in high school as well as a point of study in college, and as soon as I read this title I knew exactly what this story was about. All I ever knew was the raw scientific data about these events, thank you for bringing the human component to light, it was entirely too terrifying and heart-rending. While being a near-perfect environment for life, our planet is scary as hell, and stories like this are the best examples.
I never took a geology course, but I saw a mini documentary on this story once and also immediately knew what it would be about. I hope all the survivors and the families of the victims have found peace after this horrific tragedy
I teach a high school science program and I teach my students about this event when they're learning about the effects of CO2 on water.
Someone could do an interesting grade 7-12 index of learning topics to MrBallen videos.
My first thought was Methane Trap Lake.
I feel like this story could be adapted perfectly to the screen. Like a miniseries similar to Chernobyl, I feel like it would be extremely intense.
TV show Scorpion made and episode with this premise. Season 3 Episode 8 "Sly and the Family Stone"
To me, it seems like a much more scary and plausible version if "The Happening". Not so much dumb as 'It's the plants getting revenge with the wind and we're spoiling it in the beginning." but just the build up of a character who then wakes up after a strange night to find just about everyone dead in their town/city/village. Like this could be a much more compelling movie than that crap M. Night Shamallama-ding-dong put out.
@@tisjester I was about to reply the same thing. Literally my favorite TV series that was canceled at the absolute worst time. 🤣
@@tisjester oh
@@steeljawX shamallama.ding dong made me spit my coffee lmao
I really miss the 3 story videos. Unbelievable 3 story's, 3 story behind photos or videos, 3 places you can't go and go anyways we need more of these !!
Unfortunately I’ve found the more popular this guy came the less he cares for his original fan base 😢
I like these better, you get more detail and he’ll have interesting stories to tell for longer since he isn’t doing 3 in each video.
No matter how many times I've heard this story it shatters my heart. The complete devastation of entire families is haunting
This could be made into such an amazing movie based on true events, which could also be used as a way to warn people about this danger. Thanks for the video!
but they won't because there is no political propaganda angle
Xadow: All lakes have been de gassed and rendered harmless.
Wasn't there a Twilight Zone episode to this effect as to people disappeared? That's would be creepy. Lol.
@@allinaday9882 eh sort of
The Fog
Saw this movie years ago as a child called Dante’s Peak. It was about a volcano exploding and the villagers nearby not realizing anything. It traumatized for years, so hearing this story today makes me feel so incredibly sad. RIP to all of the victims and my condolences to the survivors.
I loved that movie! The love of family and "THANK YOU NASA!"
@bina nocht “Dante’s Peak” the name of the movie lol sorry for the confusion
Good movie!
I went camping with my year group in Hong Kong, and Dante’s Peak was the movie the teachers decided was appropriate for a bunch of 11 and 12 year olds. For those who don’t know, HK is very, VERY mountainous, and to a group of children, they look very much like volcanoes. None of us slept that night.
Bruh the scene of the legs and the boiling water haunts me to this day
I remember this. I was 28 at the time. It was a bizarre event for sure. I don't think anyone could dream that people would die from a lake's gigantic flatulence.
The lake farted and people died. That stinks.
🤭
@@jennybtx Not really. I mean people dying does, but the lake fart didn't smell.
F
@@jennybtx dark humour at its finest
Mr Ballen putting out OG content is exactly what I have been hoping for. You’re a great storyteller, please continue these strange, dark, and mysterious stories. 😊
@@Dany_Stormborn yup me too! I’m sick of true crime.
I actually learned about this story in a limnology class during my Biology bachelor's... It's a tragic event, yet it's fascinating from a scientific standpoint. Thank you for sharing the human component of the story!
I've heard of this before, but the way MrBallen narrates this makes you realize how terrifying and unexpected this is.
ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ғᴀɴ☝️☝️
ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ🎁🎁
ᴍᴇssᴀɢᴇ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🎊🎊⬆️⬆️↗️🎉🎉↗️↗️
Pretty crazy to think how the supernatural story almost lines up with the scientific answer. A group of villagers get drowned in the bottom of their lake, and their ghosts attack the village and kill everyone, as opposed to CO2 being trapped at the bottom of the lake and eventually being released and killing everyone.
Which may also mean its not the first time it has happened in the village.
I'm Cameroonian so I already knew this story. But the perspective you told it from made it feel completely new. This is how this story should be told. It truly was a tragic event. The place is basically a desert These days... Also your pronunciation of Nyos is so American haha
How do you pronounce it then?
@@jeremyemilio9378 ninja
Yes, how is it pronounced?
I'm assuming it may be closer to Knee-Yo-S instead of Nigh-Yo-S. I'm American too tho, so I'm probly wrong as well haha
Like NIN-JAH? 🥷
Therapist: So, how are you feeling today?
Me: If you're a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format, then you've come to the right place.
ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ғᴀɴ☝️☝️
ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ🎁🎁
ᴍᴇssᴀɢᴇ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🎊🎊⬆️⬆️↗️🎉🎉↗️↗️
😂
Ha! Exactly.
Perfect
That's me at my therapy appointments
I feel Mr ballen would do justice to biographies of people with crazy life stories, in a long sort format, I'd watch the hell outta that 👍
@mr_ballen I would love this too
Also I just wanted to add that I ABSOLUTLY love this channel and Im so thankful for MrBallen and the hard work and dedication he provides to all us followers. Godspeed to you and your family.
I’m a person who is nearing forty years old, but it is as if I’m in kindergarten when new content is released on this channel. It often feels as if it’s time to sit in a big circle on the thin carpet in the middle of the classroom for story time.
I knew what had happened when hearing the very beginning of this story, and yet I still hung on to every word. I’d not heard it explained in this way before in any retelling. John will likely never “run out” of things to cover just because of how he approaches the explanations of the topics he covers. Which honestly is a good thing. It allows these situations to continue to be remembered and keeps the memories of those affected alive.
Those who work to put the “stories” together- the writers, the editors, et cetera- are doing an amazing job. Even if the stories have artistic freedoms within them, they are still being presented in a kind and compassionate manner. And, if there happens to be a video that doesn’t “sit right” with anyone involved with the story itself…the videos are either re-edited or even removed altogether. Much respect to those who work to make John’s videos on TH-cam, his podcast, and the content on other platforms. Now, who was supposed to bring snacks for today’s story time? I hope it’s cookies!
Practice makes perfect.
I am 41 years old now until May 6, and I somewhat feel the same way when hearing these types of stories. And I love how Mr. Ballen tells these stories. He's right to the point, never repeating what he already mentioned, and he talks fast to not delay in saying anything. He's one of my few perfect "true stories" story tellers.
The truly scary thing is that there are dozens of bodies of water all around the globe that have various toxic gases trapped in solution like this... It is very likely something like this will happen again somewhere, sometime. Wonderfully told John, you are an absolute genius at delivering information to people. Thank you for another great video!
It can happen anywhere gas from dead plant and animals can become trapped too so not only are volcanic lakes dangerous but all lakes.
@@kimlindner4033 Unless you're from Scandinavia. The closest to anything "toxic" are plants that give you diarrhea :P
@@kimlindner4033 You think even in Norway or arctic places where its super cold? uWu oWo
@@pseudophp wherever volcanic activity is i live in germany not too far from the eifel and ive been to volcanic lakes that produce this effect. Though on a much smaller scale we actually have at least one that i know of Maria laach that presumably killed 17 jesuit monks between 1864-1888 . To this day small animals living around it just die sometimes
Mrballen is a legend of a storyteller!!
I actually heard about this tragedy years ago and still wanted to hear your rendition of it. I wasn’t disappointed. Honestly one of the crazier natural disasters. The only warning you have is the sound and it would require advanced knowledge of the physical geography to know if it’s a potential CO2 threat. Really trippy.
Your lingo makes me think you might be a kiwi?
I studied this in college to great length. Many lakes in this region now have pipes that extend to their depths, they act like a pressure release valve.
I remember learning about this (or an earlier one) in the late 90's. It stuck with me because of how horrible it was and scary to think about. Our planet is a wild place
This is so heartbreaking. People dying and they had no idea why. Some people went to their deaths thinking it was a curse. The whole area should be cordoned off as a biohazard zone but I guess they can’t force folks to leave. Another compelling story with a bizarre, albeit scientifically explained, twist. Thanks, Mr. Ballen.
A curse is just something we don't understand yet.
@@thewhitefalcon8539 it takes 40 people to curse one person and he's done as promised by God hence why we have to be humble to others and not pissed them off
@@kyleanuar9090 God is asian
Sure looks like a curse to me, cursed by mother nature herself.
@@weedtopia4.20 that would explain the smol pp energy.
I survived a mass shooting while tripping on acid at a music festival, i honestly got emotional when you talked about how nobody had believed him, I can’t imagine what he felt like, I remember when I was running in chaos screaming at people to turn around, they thought I was playing some sick twisted joke or maybe just could tell I was hallucinating so they didn’t take me seriously, it wrenched my soul, I started to question what was even going on but I had just watched people get shot and screaming and panic but so many people were telling me I was tripping I thought I was for a while but I was so scared, finally like 7 hours later after we were led into the main stages I see cops and helicopters and finally realized it was real but the feeling of not knowing and people arguing with me over something so serious and scary still hurts my soul to this day.
Well done, I've heard this story a hundred times. You did it in an original way and really sucked me in. It's really good story telling when you get invested that much in a story you know so well. Here's to many more years of it!
Mr. Ballen could make a story about some random guy taking out the trash seem like the most interesting thing to ever happen. Best storyteller on TH-cam. Hands down.
The guy was taking out the trash, he walked down the driveway, and stubbed his toe …. All of listening 😳😳😳. Lol
Doesn't matter how long I follow your content I truly get immersed and pulled into a false reality where everything becomes just extremely surreal and vivid! That's the kind of storytelling you do sir, keep it up!
P.s. extra credit because you managed to even do it with horror. 😂🤣
Facts!
Agreed. He's the best!
Been following him for a long time. He's the best!
Thank you!!
Don't yall get tired of commenting the same dang comment about his "story telling?" Jesus yes he's a good story teller we get it lol
Man it’s kind of surreal to think his grandfathers story of the ghosts haunting lower Nyos is what saved his family’s future generation. If it wasn’t for Ephram building his house in upper nyos to avoid the haunting of those spirits he may have been closer to the lake and would’ve otherwise not survived the disaster.
I also wonder if the story came from bad things happening to people close to the lake because of the gas and this legend was the only way they could explain it.
@@xRockbandObsessionx I was wondering this myself! So many things in mythology can be correlated to actual events.
The fact that the grandfather's story specifically references the bottom of the lake really caught my attention.
A small volcanic eruption would both trigger crashing waves in the lake *and* a release of the gas! It's a fascinating idea.
Thank you! I was trying to figure out why he survived when others did not. I'm distracted by a fussy baby so can't concentrate. lol
@Karla Lara just like an urban or i this case Rural Legand... all come from somewhere or an unexplained phenomenon, its safe to assume over the millions of years people have been in Africa This lake has released this Co2 before!
@@xRockbandObsessionx Seems like an almost certainty. Most spiritual or religious events have scientific explanations but without the scientific knowledge, the supernatural is usually used to explain.
Because of the way you tell each story, I feel like I was there every time! Such a picturesque expression gives each story a special tone and voice to the people who were a part of them! Every story seems like a movie with listeners as the movie extras.
Congrats on 7+ million subs 🥳
I agree. He's really great at this.
I was walking my dogs listening and I noticed I kept picking up the pace as he was telling the story. My dogs were tired after that walk 😆
Thank you for continuing your TH-cam channel! I appreciate how your heart is still in it just as much as before you began your podcasts.. it’s obvious you are dedicated to delivering us the best version of a story possible, your passion for what you do is amazing. Thank you for the entertainment and especially for your service to our country! ❤
Thank you!!!
Well said! 💗💗💗
I imagined it was radiation to start considering the clothes being torn off. I wasn't aware CO2 poisoning had those specific side effects. This whole story is horrifying. It really does sound like something supernatural the way you described the experience.
Goodness, I am very impressed with the research you put into a) finding topics that you turn into stories and b) your remarkable storytelling skill.
Ignore the Telegram scam. I hope no one falls for this
@coffeelink948 report it as scam, or nothing will ever change.
@@Here_is_Waldo i tried and TH-cam still won’t do anything about it and they know about the WhatsApp and telegram scam
These 3 comments are, to me, bizarre and do not seem to be related to my comment. Is there an explanation?
@@Ynnej55 There was another comment here that was one of those, "You have won a prize, call this number" things. It seems to have disappeared after being reported as scam, so maybe the system does work?
Thanks for curating the strange, dark and mysterious delivered in story format, always appreciated ❤
At some point I am grateful to have discovered you last week through a friend. It has given me something to binge on. And the best part is I can just listen without necessarily watching cause for me the scary images affect me. But I am able to listen when walking or designing or writing. Lots of love to you and your family. You won this Kenyan heart over who is subscribed to only 8 channels🤣. I pray that the families healed. Thank you for this great work. It helps me appreciate life as it is and in the moment
Try Bailey Sarian! She's another very entertaining true story teller who has videos that don't require you actually watch them! Just a suggestion hunny!
Stay Safe🙏🏻
@@AD-qg4hk wow thank you so much. I definitely will. And will come back here and tell you how it goes. Thanks
Listen to his podcast has no images.
It took me about a minute to realize what this story was about. I remember discussing this with my high school biology teacher back in 1993, about how that lake was almost literally a ticking bomb.
Brilliant, compassionate rendition of a confusing, heartbreaking situation. I'm old enough to remember this occurrence. It was terrible. Most felt helpless in the face of such an overwhelming tragedy with a seemingly unknown genesis. Thank you for reminding us that we are humans, that we are connected and should not forget the deaths of 1700 innocents, even accidental.
ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ғᴀɴ☝️☝️
ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ🎁🎁
ᴍᴇssᴀɢᴇ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʀɪᴢᴇ 🎊🎊⬆️⬆️↗️🎉🎉↗️↗️…
It's not just the story. It's the way you're telling it. I truly admire the work and effort you put into¨making these videos and podcast.
This story is like a recurring nightmare that I have. Me being the only person alive in a town full of dead people and trying to find someone who is alive. To hear that someone else actually lived my nightmares is extra scary, especially told in such detail by Mr. Ballen. 👍🏼
The truly scariest part is that since this happened AND WE KNOW it happened, then it can obviously happen again somewhere else...
The reality is that these events are very rare. They're also (quite likely) among the reasons the older fashioned miners kept canaries and candles in mine-shafts underground. Poisonous gas has long been suspected of killing people from underground, so when you're digging deeply into the ground, it seems reasonable to keep things like delicate fires (candle) that require oxygen the way we do, and small animals (for the same reasons) in case the gas comes... If the canary ever "goes quiet" you know it's dangerous...
It DOES make one wonder, though... How many OTHER weird superstitious nonsense ideas were created to explain rare natural events that killed a bunch of people before anyone had even a lousy method to prevent or fight against it??? ;o)
@Oceaneyes dreams can be a real pain in the butt.
The "benign" ones are indecipherable (wtf did those dolphins say to me?!?), and the "toxic" ones leave me checking to see if my foot is still attached to my leg (which I actually did that 2 mornings ago).
I have _really_ weird dreams. I sometimes wish they would cease.
@@St.Linguini_of_Pesto As a lucid dreamer, I feel for you...
BUT you should "sit ringside" for some of the crazy sh*t that goes on in those weird instances when I (as a lucid dreamer) actually have a full-on nightmare... hahaha... ;o)
@@St.Linguini_of_Pesto I understand what it's like having lucid dreams like that. I understand how you feel it can be so traumatic for you because you can't process the ightmares. I hope that you stop having dreams like that.
@@gnarthdarkanen7464 I do feel sorry for you having horrible dreams. I get them myself. I hope that you stop having bad dreams and only have good dreams
I remember watching about this on NatGeo! Mr Ballen's narration always does a story justice!
The way he tells stories is beyond "good". He is a literally phenomenal at it. Way to use your gift and turn it into a lucrative way for u to entertain millions of people 👍
Thank you!!!!
@@MrBallen I have watched every single one of your videos, listened to all of your amazing podcasts and can confirm you are an absolute legend and so humble welcoming and down to earth. Every time a notification comes up about you, the day just gets a whole letter better. Also it's my birthday on 27th january 2023, if possible could I request a birthday shout out OR ' The next time the like buttons asks for a day out, tell them your going to the zoo, an secretly fill their pockets with peanuts, so the elephants grab the like button into their enclosure and proceed to slap him with their trunks' 😂🤣
But to see someone talk about this event in more detail brings me joy. It brings me joy because I know those many men, women, children, and animals are not forgotten and left in the past. I'm sure the people of Cameroon appreciate your efforts to tell people about this event and carrying on the memory of all those who lost their lives. You have my thanks for creating this video.
These people are the ones who brought death to the animals, bringing them so close to a volcano lake.
@@WhyTH-camWhy what a wicked thing you are.
@@WhyTH-camWhy True. But it is a village with living people. They can't exactly live on just vegetarian food alone.
Even when it's a story you've heard numerous times, It hits different when you hear Mr. Ballen tell it afresh. This was hard
Your storytelling is fkn immaculate!!! *"IMPECCABLE!!!"* The way you tell these stories is as if you was RIGHT THERE THE ENTIRE TIME!! How you describe what they was doing, what they was thinking, how they was moving..... *"ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS!!!"*
Thank you, Mr. Ballen for your time and dedication to the strange, dark , and mysterious . I love the quality of your channel.
I don’t think I’ve ever stopped what I was doing to just say “…damn” as many times as I did with this story. So sad, I can’t imagine the nightmare of waking up to a scene like that. 😢 Sounds like a story out of the x-files.
Would have never known about this event had it not been for Mr. Ballen telling this heartbreaking story. Thank you so much for your channel and the amazing way you tell these stories, I can picture it all as if I'm there.
Ignore the telegram scam above me please. There’s no verification check mark either so no one should be dumb enough to fall for these scams
Yes i have known this story for the past 6 years and this is one of the most dangerous limnic reaction to ever happen The way u told this story it just felt like it was something I didn't know in the first place. Thank you so much Uncle... Lately i am having quite a stressed time due to my upcoming Board Exams in India and ur Story telling of the real events r just awesome and whenever I am bored after studying for a long time I just come across ur channel to just listen to this mysteries, ghosts and dark stories. Keep on telling this stories Uncle!
Love from India 🇮🇳
What a terrifying story. I hope people in the Nyos area remain safe in these tragic times. Thanks so much for sharing these stories not only about the past but help us as listeners keep in mind real-life events that occur in today’s society. God bless you and your family!
RIP
I don't know, if people can just go to a place where they know they can just drop dead one day, including those who survived such event, i believe they deserve whatever destiny they may end up with
@@hasturthekinginyellow5003 Shut up 🤡
@@hasturthekinginyellow5003 Many times it's related to *finances* sadly --- or maybe the situation is like an old folk, who wants to die at *home* where they were born and grew up with fond memories, instead of a hospital or an elderly home. Life, you know?
*Blessings.*
This is almost hard to believe such a tragedy. I can't believe people would still choose to live there. Thank you and Lungy for another great story Mr Ballen
They love it probably for the same reasons probably that anyone lies to live anywhere. The lake is now kept at bay by use of a degassing device that releases the co2 from the bottom so that this don’t repeat. So they probably figure they are safe and they have been since 86. :)
I've heard this story before, but the way Mr Ballen helps you to immerse in the story and the absolute fear you would feel, if you woke up one day to find your entire town/village dead
I had never heard of this before. It's heartbreaking
So glad MrBallen told this story.
Surprisingly, I'd never heard about this incident before, so this episode really kept me on the edge of my seat. My first guess was some type of chemical warfare, but then I thought of volcanic gasses, which ended up basically being the right answer. Well done MrBallen! This is a new favorite video.
May want to sub to "Scary Interesting " and "Morbid midnight ." i think they both covered it
Me either
I hate to be the sceptic, but I still think it's highly plausible this was someone testing some form of chemical weapon. It's happened before, governments even test on their own people. A cloud of CO2 seems very unlikely, given that there is nothing to hold it in any form of cloud, it would disperse rapidly, it's not a toxic gas.
@@evieblessed at least worth looking into more. Gov't sprayed bacteria in San Francisco 1950
Lol thanks for letting me no before I hear the story 🤣😂🤣
I remember a report on this when it happened. Thank you for bringing this to light. Added so much more details and depth to such a sad story. 😔
This story was absolutely heart-wrenching. I can't even imagine waking up to something like this. That poor man! How lucky is he though that his whole family was still alive? That is a miracle in itself. Those people over there have to go through so much! Probably the only way they managed to survive this with their mind intact. Still, it just breaks my heart.
CO2 is heavier than air, thus lower Nyos would be more affected assuming "lower" means lower in altitude.
As Yucai Yee said, it's because they lived above the lake rather than below it. The people there experienced milder CO2 exposure and Ephriam was one of the first to wake up, dizzy and confused due to oxygen starvation in the brain but alive. I read about this years ago and it is one of the most haunting stories I've met, also spoken from Ephriam's perspective - presumably because he was one of the first to recover from the incident, so he experienced the brunt of the aftermath.
His father's story saved him
Reminds me of the chemical gas attacks Saddam Husseins goons did on the Kurdish city of Halabja, back in the 80s. The gas smelled sweet and fruity, apparently. People came out sniffing it, and almost the whole village dropped dead that day. Many of the people that lived had life-long health conditions because of the gas. Glad that evil man is gone.
His family survived because, due to the fear their family had of the ghosts his grandparent used to talk about, they built their house high up the hill, further away from the lake.
This video made me appreciate Mr. Ballen’s storytelling even more. I know this event. I knew exactly where we’d end up. But the angle he took to get there still kept it fresh and interesting. Great work, as always.
This story is INSANE! Can you imagine? What could you possibly do in a situation like that?
Run like hell, uphill preferably. Its like a tsunami of toxic gas
I remember when this happened. I was 18 and at that age, I could appreciate and understand how devastating and awful this tragedy really was. Those innocent people had NO idea they were going to die that night. At least most didn't suffer and that's a blessing. It's definitely a comfort knowing that. 😥💔
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That's how I want to die, suddenly and without knowing anything
@@sunflowers730 "unlike the people in the backseat"