Apocalypse now? Massive mushroom cloud terrifies residents in Siberia

Apocalypse now? Massive mushroom cloud terrifies residents in Siberia who frantically ring the emergency services fearing a nuclear explosion!

• The isolated cloud sprung up around the industrial city of Kemerovo 
• What they were actually seeing was a huge anvil cumulo-nimbus cloud 
• Formed after a thunderstorm pushed clouds aside high in the atmosphere

A massive mushroom cloud has terrified locals in Siberia, leaving the emergency services inundated with calls as residents feared a nuclear attack. The isolated cloud, in the industrial city of Kemerovo, bore the distinctive hallmark of a nuclear explosion, leading locals to believe that doomsday had arrived. Others reasoned a blast may have occurred at one of the area's many mines, for which the coal-rich Kuzbass region is renowned.

Looks like explosion

Mushroom cloud

Ominous sight: A huge mushroom cloud rises into the atmosphere in Kuzbass region of Siberia In fact what they were seeing was a huge anvil cumulo-nimbus, formed after a thunderstorm caused clouds to be blown to the side, reportsSputnik News. The emergency services quickly calmed down the shocked locals, saying the formation was merely an ordinary rain cloud. No freak accidents or fires were reported that day, and users on social media joked about what the unusual sight could have meant.

Mushroom season? Users joked on social media as to what the cloud formation could mean

Scared silly

Local resident Sergey Zmaznev posted footage of the massive mushroom on YouTube 'A mushroom cloud has grown today. This is, probably, a hint that a 'mushroom season' is in full swing. It's time to pick mushrooms. Very beautiful!' wrote Instagram user @khsy_20_. Local Sergey Zmaznev posted footage of the cloud on YouTube, showing the mushroom rising high into the atmosphere. The video already has over 20,000 views since he posted it on Sunday. Sergey also posted images of the ominous cloud outside his home.