Uzbek authorities reported that one person was killed and 162 injured in a strong explosion that occurred today, Thursday, in a warehouse near Tashkent Airport, which also caused a fire and shattered windows in nearby residential buildings. The Ministry of Health stated that a teenage boy died after a window fell on him due to the explosion. Additionally, it was reported that 24 injured individuals were hospitalized, but their injuries are not life-threatening, while 138 others received treatment for minor injuries.
Earlier on Thursday, the Daryo news outlet in Uzbekistan reported a powerful explosion in Tashkent, citing information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations indicating that a warehouse in the area near the city's airport exploded. Data from the flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed that flights at Tashkent International Airport appeared to be taking off and landing as usual.
A notice for pilots issued at 22:15 GMT on Wednesday indicated that a runway at the airport would be closed to takeoffs and landings between 02:00 GMT and 07:00 GMT on Thursday, though part of it would be available for taxiing. No reason was provided for the closure.
According to posts by Daryo on social media, the Ministry of Emergency Situations received a call about a fire caused by a powerful explosion in a warehouse located in the Sergeli area of the city. It was posted that firefighting and rescue crews and vehicles arrived at the scene and are currently working to extinguish the fire, adding that details about injuries and fatalities from the fire are not yet known.
While there were reports of a "strong lightning" incident, the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that a "special laboratory" has been established at the scene to investigate the explosion. The ministry stated via Telegram, "Thanks to the quick actions of the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the extent of the fire has been reduced. The situation is completely under control."
