The scariest unsolved mysteries of all time

Weird noise

According to the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, citing Reader's Digest, in December 2016, a CIA officer visited the US Embassy's medical facility in Havana, Cuba, complaining of nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Several days later, two other CIA officers reported similar symptoms.

By the end of 2018, at least 26 Americans and 13 Canadians had reported nausea, hearing loss, dizziness, nosebleeds, and trouble concentrating. In all cases, the patients attributed their symptoms to strange noises they heard in their homes or hotels. One person said the noise was high-pitched. Another described it as “a beam of sound, directed into their room.” Some claimed the noise was similar to marbles rolling across the floor.

The "strange disease" has left medical experts baffled. Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) examined several patients diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms but found no signs that they had a concussion.

One theory is that a pair of secret listening devices placed too close together by Cuban agents could have accidentally produced the sound, similar to the feedback heard when someone stands too close to a microphone. But the FBI has found no evidence to support that theory. In fact, ultrasound is above the range of human hearing.

The recordings of some patients only add to the complexity of the problem. Two scientists who studied the recordings believe they have captured the sounds of lovelorn male crickets. Alexander Stubb, a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, said the insects are extremely loud. “You can hear them from inside a diesel truck going 40 miles an hour on the highway,” Stubb said. But scientists don’t know why the sound would make the workers sick.

In May 2018, an American at the consulate in Guangzhou, China, was diagnosed with a similar mysterious illness. Eventually, 15 Americans were evacuated from there.

"Ghost Ship" Mary Celeste

An article on Reader's Digest, quoted by the Lao Dong Newspaper, said that on December 4, 1872, a British-American ship called the "Mary Celeste" was found deserted and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean. The cargo on board was completely intact, except for a neatly placed lifeboat. There were no sailors on board at the time.

The Mary Celeste sailed from New York City, USA to Genoa, Italy in November 1872. It was captained by Benjamin Briggs and had a crew of seven, including Briggs’ wife and their 2-year-old daughter. The ship had enough food supplies to last six months, including a sewing machine and a piano.

Commentators agree that the abandonment of a seaworthy vessel must have been due to some unusual and alarming circumstances. However, the ship’s last daily log entry showed nothing unusual and everything inside the ship appeared to be in order.

Theories have ranged from a collision, pirate attack, or giant octopus/sea monster attack. In recent years, scientists have theorized that alcohol fumes on board the ship caused an explosion that was “scientifically unsound” and left no trace of fire. The explosion was so severe that Briggs ordered everyone into the lifeboats.

Area 51

Area 51, in southern Nevada, is a US military base. Its existence was not confirmed until 2013, when the CIA was forced to confirm it under the Freedom of Information Act. Based on historical evidence, Area 51 is believed to be where the US military tested aircraft and weapons.

However, the extreme secrecy surrounding Area 51 has fueled rumors that the US government uses it to store crashed UFOs and conduct experiments on aliens. Other theories about Area 51 include: research into time travel, research into teleportation, meetings with aliens, development of weather control vehicles, and shadowy off-world government activities.

Where these theories come from is as much of a mystery as Area 51 itself, but one thing is for sure: people are fascinated by these conspiracy theories.

Thanh Thanh (Synthesis)

Useful
Emotion
Creative
Unique
Wrath