Explorers discover pit of snakes after reaching bottom of 400ft ‘Well of Hell’

The cavernous Well of Barhout, in Yemen, is shunned by many locals who believe it is a source of eternal bad luck – although a team of cavers captured stunning, ethereal images on the first ever descent to its floor

Cavers said they made strange discoveries at the bottom of a so called ‘well of hell’ on the first ever known mission to the bottom.

The Well of Barhout in Yemen is shunned by many locals who believe it is a source of eternal bad luck.

Located in Yemen’s eastern province of Al-Mahra, the enormous hole in the desert floor spans 100ft wide and plunges a staggering 370ft below ground.

The cave, thought to be millions of years old, is said to give of strange odours – with tales of the damned and ‘nonbelievers’ being sent there in an afterlife.

A team of Omani explorers decided to explore what really lay at the bottom of the mysterious wonder – making the eerie descent to its floor.

Mohammed al-Kindi, a geology professor at the German University of Technology in Oman, told AFP: “There were snakes, but they won’t bother you unless you bother them.

“Some say it is where apostates and nonbelievers are tortured after death. Others believe that their heads would be severed once they’re down there.”

The team of cavers collected samples from its depts, and shed more light on what lay waiting for them at the bottom.

Prof al-Kindi added: “We collected samples of water, rocks, soil and some dead animals but have yet to have them analysed.”

“We noticed strange things inside. We also smelled something strange … It’s a mysterious situation.”

Stunning images from inside the cave show millions of years of sedimentary rock circling its walls.

Light pouring in from the entrance also appears to illuminate the cave’s surface, creating a shimmering, luminescent effect.

A report of the team’s full findings is due to be made public when finalised.