A 58-year-old man died when a landslide buried him as he dug a huge hole in the ground to build a doomsday shelter against the end of the world.

Arturo Enrique Aguirre Garcia had left his home in San Luis, a small town in the Antioquia Department, Colombia, on 18th August, leaving his belongings behind, and was reported missing by his family the next day.

Relatives and neighbours circulated his photograph widely on social media during the search.

Arturo Enrique Aguirre Garcia poses in undated photo. He was found dead and buried under dirt where he was digging a doomsday shelter in San Luis, Antioquia, Colombia, on 25 August 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)

Investigators said they received testimony from a witness who had seen him digging a hole on the outskirts of the town, claiming he was preparing for the end of the world.

Eight days later, San Luis Fire Department Commander Nilson Romero Betancur said officers found disturbed ground at the site and confirmed a landslide had occurred.

During the search, firefighters found a candle, a machete, and a shovel that belonged to the victim.

After digging around three metres (10 feet), rescue workers located his body under the collapsed earth on 25th August.

Firefighters recover the body of Arturo Enrique Aguirre Garcia in San Luis, Antioquia, Colombia, on 25 August 2025. He died while digging a doomsday shelter. Note: Private photo. (Bomberos Voluntarios San Luis Antioquia/Newsflash/NX)

Commander Betancur said: "Someone reported to the police that he was digging a hole on the outskirts of the town, saying that somehow the world was going to end and that he had to finish that hole."

The remains were transferred to the morgue at 6:50pm for forensic examination.

The San Luis Fire Department stated: "We share in the grief of his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

"As an institution, we will continue to work with commitment and dedication in the service of our community."

(Mike Leidig / newsX)