It is somewhat frightening. [Even the Mist back home didn't make them weaker, even if it did spawn monsters. At least there, people could fight back.]

It would not surprise me if there have been a few who have wanted to see it for themselves. [There were people of all kinds here, after all. There were sure to be some reckless and/or skeptical types.] Though I would hope they took they precaution of having someone accompany them.