Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media, citing the occupation army: We tried to "eliminate" Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida
Al-Mashat: I call on everyone worldwide to avoid dealing with any assets of the entity, and there is still an opportunity for settlers to return to their countries
Al-Mashat: A final warning to all companies in the occupation entity to leave before it’s too late
The Israeli occupation army carries out a deadly airstrike on a populated residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City, resulting in dozens of fatalities and injuries: Al Mayadeen's correspondent
Al-Mashat: We say to Gaza, we stand firm regarding our stance, no matter the sacrifices
Al-Mashat: We will meet challenge with challenge, and you will no longer have any sense of security
Al-Mashat: We say to the Zionists, our revenge is unyielding, and dark days await you
Al-Mashat: We will take revenge, and we will come out victorious from the depths of our wounds
Al-Mashat: Our people are capable of overcoming all difficulties and challenges, and the enemy will not be able to break our steadfastness, nor will we be intimidated by raids or terrified by threats
President of the Yemeni Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat: The Government of Change and Building will carry out its duties in a caretaker capacity, and the blood of the martyrs will serve as a motivation for steadfastness and reconstruction

Turkmenistan intends to close its 'Gateway to Hell'

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jan 2022 18:21
2 Min Read

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov tells officials to put out the flames at the Darvaza gas crater in the middle of the vast Karakum desert.

  • x
  • After a drilling accident in 1971, Soviet scientists set the gas alight to prevent the spread of poisonous fumes (AFP)
    After a drilling accident in 1971, Soviet scientists set the gas alight to prevent the spread of poisonous fumes (AFP)

Turkmenistan's President has instructed experts to find way to finally extinguish a big five-decade-old fire in the "Gateway to Hell," a massive natural gas crater in the Central Asian country.

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov spoke on state television on Saturday, urging officials to put out the fires at the Darvaza gas crater in the middle of the vast Karakum desert, citing environmental and economic concerns.

Berdymukhamedov had previously ordered researchers in 2010 to discover a solution to extinguish the fires that had been raging since a Soviet drilling operation went poorly in 1971.

He said that the man-made crater "negatively affects both the environment and the health of the people living nearby". 

Related News

Russia aims to boost grains, vegoil exports to Iran

Pezeshkian, Putin hail ‘strategic’ ties between Iran, Russia

"We are losing valuable natural resources for which we could get significant profits and use them for improving the well-being of our people," the president added in televised remarks. 

Here’s what you need to know

The crater was formed in 1971 when a Soviet drilling rig collided with a gas cavern, forcing the drilling rig to fall in and the ground beneath it to collapse.

The Soviets decided to set fire to the gas in order to prevent the toxic fumes from spreading.

Since then, the pit has kept burning, despite earlier attempts to extinguish it.

The resulting crater -- 70 metres (229 feet) wide and 20 metres (65 feet) deep -- is a popular tourist attraction in Turkmenistan.

The president formally called it the "Shining of Karakum" in 2018.

  • Turkmenistan
  • 'Gateway to Hell'
  • Darvaza gas crater
  • Karakum desert

Most Read

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in Gaza Strip

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City

  • Politics
  • Today
Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025
Although it does seem likely they will launch some kind of operation in northern Gaza, one which will accelerate its mass murder of civilians, but will fail to achieve its stated objectives. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Here is why the Israeli occupation of Gaza won’t work

  • Opinion
  • 26 Aug 2025
A scene showing an al-Qassam Brigades fighter during an ambush on July 7, 2025, in a video released by the al-Qassam Brigades on August 26, 2025 (al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

Al-Qassam reveals Beit Hanoun ambush targeting Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran slams E3 snapback bid, backs Russia-China nuclear plan
Politics

Iran slams E3 snapback bid, backs Russia-China nuclear plan

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2022, at the U.N. headquarters. (AP)
Politics

France slams US over Palestinian Authority visa ban to UN summit

IRGC foils Mossad plot, captures 8 in Mashhad
Politics

IRGC foils Mossad plot, captures 8 in Mashhad

Piyush Goyal in an undated photo (Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images)
Politics

India will not 'bow down' to pressure: Trade Minister

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS