President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered to find a way to extinguish the gas crater in the Karakum Desert, which is also known as the “Gates of Hell”, and has long become a tourist attraction. This was reported by RIA Novosti, referring to the Turkmen television.
During the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Berdimuhamedov noted that natural gas, which has been burning for many years, harms the environment and the health of local residents. The President also noted that the country is losing valuable raw materials that could be exported.
The head of state received Deputy Prime Minister Shakhym Abrakhmanov, who oversees the oil and gas complex, to attract scientists, if necessary, to involve foreign experts in order to solve the gas crater problem.
“The Gates of Hell” is a depression located in the Karakum Desert, 266 kilometers north of Ashgabat, near the village of Darvaza. Diameter – about 60 meters, depth – 20 meters. In 1971, when a well was being drilled at this place, they 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.
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