According to foreign media reports, in the Norwegian town of Longyearbyen, not only is death considered illegal, but elderly citizens also face restrictions on residency. The strange law in Longyearbyen has been explained due to unique environmental conditions.
The town, which has a population of around 2,000 people, does have a cemetery, but no one is allowed to be buried there. The reason for this unusual law lies in the harsh climate of the region. Longyearbyen is one of the coldest places on Earth, with temperatures reaching as low as -46.3°C, and the highest temperatures ranging from 3°C to 7°C.
Due to the extreme cold, digging graves is difficult, and even more importantly, the bodies of deceased individuals do not decompose. This poses a health risk, as the preserved bodies could spread diseases. Moreover, ancient viruses and bacteria have been found to remain intact in the frozen soil. Therefore, if someone dies from a disease, their body would remain in the same condition, potentially spreading harmful illnesses.
