Overview
A wave of alleged poltergeist activity has been documented across Asia and Africa during 2024‑2025, prompting renewed interest among researchers and skeptics alike. Blogger Paul Cropper of The Fortean compiled dozens of reports ranging from doors slamming shut to “stone‑rain” attacks and inexplicable house fires. The surge coincides with wider access to translation tools such as ChatGPT, which have made it easier to gather and share eyewitness accounts from remote regions. While the authenticity of many claims remains unverified, the consistency of certain patterns—particularly the use of physical projectiles—has drawn attention from both local authorities and paranormal investigators.
Reported Incidents
The catalog of cases includes incidents in Zimbabwe, Thailand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. In February 2024, a Bulawayo family described invisible “goblins” that allegedly stabbed a child’s leg and shaved another’s head, prompting the children’s temporary relocation to South Africa—only for the disturbances to follow, according to the family. A Thai household in Rayong Province reported rocks and cement fragments striking residents from multiple directions, even in broad daylight; the family patriarch, 62‑year‑old Narong Nusalad, recalled seeing a “long‑haired female ghost” under a tree before the attacks began. In Gujarat, India, police patrols armed with sticks failed to stop stone‑pelting that seemed to materialize “out of nowhere,” leaving investigators without a suspect.
Notable Cases
Two Indian incidents stand out for their severity. In April 2024, residents of Tankara, Gujarat endured nightly stone‑pelting despite constant police presence, prompting local law enforcement to issue public safety advisories. Later, in June 2024, the village of Araud, Chhattisgarh experienced three months of intermittent “stone rains,” with projectiles falling at any hour and causing minor injuries. The most dramatic report emerged in January 2025 from a family in Tankara who claimed their home ignited repeatedly over a week despite having no electrical connections. The family fled after the flames re‑ignited each night, describing the phenomenon as “uncontrollable fire that seemed to have a mind of its own.” No fire‑department logs or utility records have been released to corroborate the claim.
Expert and Skeptical Perspectives
Researchers caution against drawing definitive conclusions from anecdotal reports. Dr. Anjali Mehta, a sociologist at the University of Delhi who studies folklore and collective trauma, notes, “When communities experience stress—whether economic, political, or environmental—stories of supernatural interference can serve as a coping mechanism.” Conversely, paranormal investigator Miriam Ortiz of the International Society of Psychical Research argues that the physicality of the attacks—stones, bricks, and fire—sets these cases apart from typical “psychokinetic” poltergeist narratives. “The repeated, measurable impact on property and bodies suggests a phenomenon that merits scientific inquiry,” Ortiz said in a recent interview.
Looking Ahead
Authorities in the affected regions have largely responded with precautionary measures rather than formal investigations, citing limited resources and the difficulty of gathering forensic evidence in rural settings. Meanwhile, the influx of translated testimonies has sparked calls for a coordinated, cross‑border database to track anomalous events. As Cropper acknowledges, “I can’t vouch for any of them being genuine, but some cases certainly sound worthy of a follow‑up.” Whether future research will uncover natural explanations, expose hoaxes, or reveal a yet‑unexplained phenomenon remains to be seen, but the current spate underscores the need for rigorous documentation and balanced scrutiny.
