Turkmenistan Reduces Karakum 'Gateway to Hell' Fire

Turkmenistan has announced a significant reduction in the flames of the Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the 'Gateway to Hell,' which has burned in the Karakum desert since 1971 after a Soviet-era drilling accident. Officials from the state energy company Turkmengaz stated that the fire’s intensity and visible glow have been reduced threefold through the drilling of numerous wells to capture escaping methane gas. The site remains a major tourist attraction and symbol of the country’s vast natural gas reserves, while also being a significant source of methane emissions. Turkmenistan continues to deny being the world’s biggest methane emitter, disputing International Energy Agency findings. The exact timeline for the reduction in fire intensity was not disclosed. The effort to tame the blaze marks a shift in the country’s approach to economic, environmental, and reputational issues.