Turkmenistan's 'Gate to Hell' crater burns 50+ years after 1971 gas well collapse

A Soviet-era natural gas drilling accident in 1971 created a burning crater in Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert that has burned continuously for over five decades. The site, known as the 'Gate to Hell,' has become a tourist attraction, but the ongoing gas combustion represents a persistent energy waste and environmental concern. The event is historical and well-documented, with no new developments reported.