ASHGABAT, 8 Jan. Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered to invent a way to extinguish a gas crater in the Karakum desert, which is also known as the «Gates of Hell», reports Turkmen television. This is about one of the most famous sights of Turkmenistan, which is now called «Shining of the Karakum Desert.» of the meeting of the Cabinet, which took place in video format, the head of state gave a corresponding order to Deputy Prime Minister Shakhym Abrakhmanov, who is in charge of the oil and gas complex. Berdimuhamedov noted that natural gas has been burning in the Darvaza region for many years, which harms the environment and the health of the local population. In addition, as the Turkmen leader stressed, the country is losing valuable raw materials that could be sold abroad, and the money raised to be used to increase the welfare of citizens. … In this regard, Berdimuhamedov instructed to organize scientific discussions and, if necessary, involve foreign experts to solve the problem of the gas crater. This landmark is a depression located in the Karakum Desert, 266 kilometers north of Ashgabat near the village of Darvaza, with a diameter of about 60 meters and a depth 20 meters, from which hundreds of fiery tongues break out. It has a man-made origin, but after almost half a century it is perceived as a natural monument. In 1971, when a well was being drilled in this place in search of natural gas, a collapse occurred. Geologists decided to set fire to the gas coming out of the hole, hoping that it would completely burn out in a few days. However, the fire still burns to this day.
