Danger and demons: Yemen's mysterious 'Well of Hell'

An aerial view taken on June 6, 2021 shows the Well of Barhout known as the "Well of Hell" in the desert of Yemen's Al-Mahra province. - Closer to the border with Oman than to the capital Sanaa 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) away, the giant hole in the desert of Al-Mahra province is 30 metres wide and thought to be anywhere between 100 and 250 metres deep. Local folklore says it was created as a prison for the demons -- a reputation bolstered by the foul odours rising from its depths. (Photo by - / AFP)

Al-Mahra, Yemen (AFP): Surrounded in mystery and tales of demons, the Well of Barhout in Yemen's east – known as the "Well of Hell" – is a little-understood natural wonder.

Closer to the border with Oman than to the capital Sanaa 1,300km away, the giant hole in the desert of Al-Mahra province is 30m wide and thought to be anywhere between 100 and 250m deep.