A Deadly Deportation
In May 1933, Soviet authorities deported around 6,700 people to Nazino Island, a remote Siberian location on the Ob River. The deportees, mostly from Moscow and Leningrad, had been arrested for lacking internal passports. Many were unskilled workers, petty criminals, and peasants caught up in mass purges.
Stranded Without Supplies
Upon arrival, the deportees had no shelter, tools, or food except for sacks of flour. Guards distributed rations chaotically, leading to fights, starvation, and disease. Those who tried to escape by raft drowned, while others were hunted down by guards.
Cannibalism and Chaos
As conditions worsened, gangs formed, attacking the weak and stealing food. Reports described cannibalism, with some killing others for flesh. Guards extorted settlers, and many died from exposure, malnutrition, or violence.
A Tragedy Exposed
After 13 weeks, over 4,000 deportees had died or vanished. A report reached Joseph Stalin, leading to minor punishments for officials. The tragedy remained secret until 1988, when the human rights group Memorial uncovered the case, revealing the horrific events on Cannibal Island.
In May 1933, thousands were abandoned on a Siberian island with no food, tools, or shelter. Arrested for lacking papers, they were sent to Nazino Island, where disease and starvation spread. Within weeks, desperation led to chaos, and some resorted to cannibalism to survive.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/iROEKK75qU
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 15, 2025