Turkmenistan on Thursday said that it has significantly reduced the enormous gas fire burning in the Karakum desert, famously known as the “Gateway to Hell.” This fire has been blazing continuously since 1971, when Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into an underground pocket of natural gas and, fearing the release of poisonous gases, decided to set it alight. What was meant to be a quick fix turned into a fiery spectacle that has burned for over five decades, releasing vast amounts of methane – a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. Officials from state energy firm Turkmengaz revealed that the size and intensity of the fire have been cut by nearly three times. “Whereas before a huge glow from the blaze was visible from several kilometres away, today only a faint source of combustion remains,” said Irina Luryeva, a director at Turkmengaz, speaking at an environmental conference in Ashgabat, the capital. To reduce the flames, several wells have been drilled around the crater to capture escaping methane gas, which is then put to use, helping to cut down harmful emissions. However, the exact timeframe over which this reduction occurred was not made clear. The fiery crater has become Turkmenistan’s most famous tourist attraction, drawing visitors fascinated by its glowing flames and eerie nickname. The country, which remains one of the world’s most secretive, is estimated to hold the world’s fourth largest natural gas reserves. According to the International Energy Agency, Turkmenistan is one of the world’s largest methane emitters, mainly due to gas leaks, although Turkmen officials deny these allegations. The story of the “Gateway to Hell” began when Soviet drilling equipment unexpectedly broke into a cavern underground, causing the ground to collapse and form a deep sinkhole. Concerned about the toxic gas leaking out, the scientists set the gas alight, expecting the flames to burn out quickly. Instead, the fire has raged for over 50 years, becoming a powerful symbol of Turkmenistan’s vast natural gas wealth. (With inputs from AFP)