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Our world is far stranger than it appears, and you truly realise this only when you uncover its hidden mysteries. One such astonishing place lies deep within the desert of Turkmenistan, a location that has fascinated people across the globe for decades.
It is commonly known as the “Door to Hell.” This is not a scene from a movie, but a very real place on Earth—one that has been burning continuously for more than 50 years.
The terrifying and mysterious site is officially called the Darvaza Gas Crater. Locals also refer to it as the “Shining of Karakum.” It is a massive crater where flames burn endlessly as natural gas keeps escaping from beneath the ground. This crater is located near the village of Darvaza, right in the heart of the vast Karakum Desert.
The Mystery Behind The ‘Door To Hell’
The story behind this so-called Door to Hell dates back to 1971. At the time, geologists from the Soviet Union were drilling in the area in search of natural gas.
During excavation, a large underground gas chamber suddenly collapsed, creating a massive crater. Soon after, toxic gases began leaking from the pit, posing a serious threat to nearby areas.
To prevent the poisonous gas from spreading, scientists made a bold decision. They believed that setting the gas on fire would burn it off completely and stop it from leaking further.
Engineers assumed the flames would die out on their own within a few weeks. However, their prediction proved wrong. The fire that ignited that day continues to burn even after five decades.
Experts believe the main reason behind the fire burning for so long is Turkmenistan’s vast natural gas reserves. The country ranks fourth in the world in terms of gas reserves. Interestingly, there is no official government record of this incident. Either the files were kept classified or were never made public.
The Darvaza Gas Crater is estimated to be 60 to 70 metres wide and about 98 feet deep. At night, its flames are visible from several kilometres away, creating a surreal and eerie sight in the middle of the desert.
According to a report by the Daily Star, a new development has now emerged regarding the Door to Hell. Turkmenistan’s state-owned gas company, Turkmengaz, announced at a press conference that the fire inside the crater is gradually beginning to fade.
