Doomsday preppers fearing end of the world cower in £20,000 underground concrete bunkers as Putin warns he’ll target America with nukes
Up to 5,000 residents can live in the largest bunker communities, developers say
TERRIFIED doomsday "preppers" are flocking to underground bunkers capable of withstanding meteor strikes, gas attacks and bomb explosions - as Putin warns Europe could be targeted with warheads.
The "nuclear hardened" homes have become so popular in the US there are plans to build more bunker communities in Germany, South Korea and Australia.
Those fearing the end of the world can choose between $25,000 bargain bunkers or splash out on luxury $3million fortified compounds to help survive nuclear fallout or natural disasters.
Experts tracking the so-called "prepper" movement say it is now a mainstream part of society as concern over a pending apocalypse grips the western world.
It comes as Russian president Vladimir Putin vowed to target US and Europe with nukes if Donald Trump deploys intermediate range missiles to the EU.
Milton Torres, 42, is the first doomsday prepper to pack up his life and permanently move to a remote underground bunker in the Midwest of the US.
"They have us so confused, but they don't want to panic the people about what's happening.
"You think the government is going to save you? If you think that, good luck."
Milton says his bunker is a bargain, adding: "It's a steal - especially when compared to a house that won't survive a meteor strike."
GOING MAINSTREAM
His new neighbour, IT worker Tom Soulsby, shares concerns that the end of the world is on the horizon.
The bunker is "resilient enough so that if civil unrest occurs I can button up there and be safe," he explained.
Tom added: "We've seen in the last few years how fragile our infrastructure is and how little disruption it takes to disturb our lives.
"Look at Hurricane Harvey two years ago - some of those people still aren't home."
Anthropologist Dr Chad Huddleston has been tracking the doomsday prepper movement for years, saying it has now entered mainstream society.
He said: "Preppers want to keep up their standard of living, even though the outside world might be burning.
"Those who can afford it think that at least they and their family will emerge unscathed from their bunker after an event."
CATASTROPHE COMMUNITIES
Bunker builder Robert Vicino owns the Vivos Group, which has set up three doomsday communities in the US in the past ten years - and plans to open more in Germany, South Korea and Australia.
He said: "Our locations can hold up to 10,000 like-minded people all carrying guns in an area three-quarters the size of Manhattan," he says.
"They become their own army, because that's the nature of survival."
Not only do bunkers offer residents protection from nuclear war and other catastrophic events, they also provide luxury facilities for those locked inside.
Survival Condos owner Larry Hall said: "Our luxury nuclear hardened bunker full-floor unit is the most requested offering.
"This is a 1,840-square-feet condominium that has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and luxury finishes that sell for $3million."
Shared features include an organic hydroponic and aquaculture food production system, a bar and lounge, pool and spa, digital weather station, and an indoor shooting range.
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