Google Maps was developed in 2005 as an online navigation tool for people hoping to map their way across the globe. With the introduction of its Street View function in 2007 users were suddenly given the opportunity to take in the sights in far-flung regions in 3D. Since then, eagle-eyed viewers have been on the hunt for out-of-the-ordinary sightings across the world such as this odd occurrence in Russia.
As the user clicks up and down the snow-covered street they may start to notice something.
Four faceless beings, covered head to toe in what resemble hazmat suits, are constantly within sight of the camera, no matter how far it travels.
Though the stature of each of these beings appears relatively human, what’s even more interesting is their cartoonish appearance.
Although all dressed in identical uniforms, each bears its own primary colour – red, yellow, blue and green.
While other people can be seen walking up and down the street, the brightly coloured bodies are never out of sight.
Adding a little humour to the incident, at one point the camera passes a building which is marked with red, yellow, and green, which three of the people seem to align themselves with, in a bid to blend in.
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So, what is the explanation for these four mysterious beings?
One Reddit user suggested they were “stalking” the Google Maps camera, meanwhile another suggested they were “locals having fun with Google Street Car”.
However, there is another interesting and more likely story behind the sighting.
On closer inspection, it is clear the coloured suits actually correlate with the colours of the Google logo itself.
Norilsk is a city famously adept to pollution due to its heavy production of Nickel.
According to the BBC journalists who were granted access to the “closed city” in 2007, it is heavily polluted.
Reports point to a so-called “dead zone” just outside of the city which is affected by acid rains produced by the Norilsk Nickel factories emitting sulphur dioxide.
“Maybe it is an awareness campaign on pollution in the city (the suits resembling Hazmat equipment) directed to users of Google Maps who might stumble across it?” continues gappysuke.
“This is assuming the suits appearing are there intentionally. If they’re for any other purpose than something set up I’m stumped on what it is.”
However, another Reddit user explains that pollution may not necessarily be the case for the suits.
In fact, Norilsk’s average winter hits a bone-chilling -30 degrees, which explains the thick blanket of snow on the ground.
The Reddit user points out the suits are probably enforced just to keep the staff warm: “They can’t get cars there and it’s freezing.”