Is Turkmenistan finally closing the βgates of hellβ?
And whatβs it like to go down the massive fiery pit, the Darvaza Crater?
In the middle of the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan, thereβs a massive fiery pit officially called the Darvaza Crater - but also known as the βgates of hellβ. The fire - which is man made - has been burning for over 50 years. But now satellite images suggest that the brightness of the crater has started to dim. Turkmenistan is trying to finally put out the fire.
Alex from the What in the World team tells us all about how the fire started and why itβs taken so long to put it out. We hear from explorer George Kourounis who is (as far as we know) the only person to go down into the pit.
And ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ journalist Alistair Coleman gives us some facts about Turkmenistan and its leaders.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Alex Rhodes
Editor: Verity Wilde
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- Thu 2 Jan 2025 18:50GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service News Internet
- Fri 3 Jan 2025 03:50GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only
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What in the World
Helping you make sense of whatβs happening in your world.