Uzbekistan: Powerful blast kills one, injures 162 in Tashkent

A huge explosion that occurred on Thursday at a warehouse close to the airport in Tashkent resulted in one fatality and 162 injuries, according to Uzbek police. The explosion also started a fire and broke windows in surrounding apartment buildings. According to a statement from the health ministry, a window frame collapsed on a teenage boy, killing him. 138 individuals were also treated for injuries, and 24 people were hospitalised but were not in danger of dying. The administrator of the capital’s international airport reported that all flights were proceeding normally. While a massive cloud of smoke was seen hovering above the warehouse in social media videos and photos, the reason of the explosion was not immediately known. A spcial laboratory had previously been set up at the scene to investigate the blast, the emergencies ministry said. “As a result of the quick actions of emergencies ministry employees, the area of the fire is being reduced,” it added on the Telegram messaging app. “The situation is completely under control.” 16 fire and rescue workers were dispatched to combat the fire at one of the warehouses in the city’s Sergeli neighbourhood close to the airport, according to a social media post by Uzbek source Daryo. (With agency inputs)