How the Soviets accidentally discovered the 'Gates of Hell'

Located in Turkmenistan’s Karakum desert, the Darvaza crater is a massive man-made sinkhole that has been burning methane gas for decades.

It has been said that it was intentionally set alight by Soviet authorities, hoping it would burn off in a matter of weeks. However, nearly 50 years later, the crater is still alight and its true origins are still shrouded in mystery.

Video by Adrian Hartrick and Dominika Ozynska

23 February 2022