Explosion at Uzbekistan Airport Kills One, Causes Major Fire
A devastating explosion tore through a customs warehouse near Tashkent International Airport early Thursday morning, resulting in one fatality and injuring at least 162 others. Occurring at approximately 2:40 a.m. local time, the blast was felt for miles and sent flames and debris soaring over the Uzbek capital.
The explosion struck the Inter Logistics warehouse, located in the Zangiata district on the outskirts of Tashkent. This facility, managed by Inter Logistic LLC, is involved in freight forwarding and storage, dealing with diverse imported goods such as appliances and electronics. Authorities stated there is no indication of hazardous materials or weapons stored there, although the details regarding the warehouse inventory remain undisclosed.
Many residents across the capital were jolted from their sleep by the explosion, which illuminated the night sky. Videos posted on social media captured scenes of fireballs rising into the air, followed by a thick column of smoke. Nearby buildings shook violently, resulting in shattered windows and some structural damage.
“I was sleeping with my children, and suddenly all the windows exploded. The house trembled,” recounted Zhanna K., a local resident living several kilometers from the blast site. “I thought a plane had crashed.”
Authorities confirmed that a teenage boy lost his life when a window frame fell on him while he was in a nearby home. Health officials reported that 162 individuals were treated for various injuries, including burns and cuts, with 24 hospitalized. Most of those hospitalized were in stable condition, and miraculously, no airport personnel or passengers were injured. Flight operations resumed a few hours later after emergency crews secured the area.
Firefighters battled the massive inferno, which lingered well into the morning. Over 100 emergency personnel and numerous fire trucks were deployed to control the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby businesses and essential airport infrastructure. The police cordoned off the area as investigators began assessing the scene.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Early assessments suggest that either an electrical malfunction or a gas leak could be responsible; however, forensic teams are still exploring all possibilities. No evidence of terrorism or foul play has been identified thus far.
“Technicians are examining the fire’s origin, electrical systems, and the storage practices of the warehouse,” stated Deputy Emergency Minister Abdulla Khabibov. “Our goal is to present a full technical report as early as next week.”
The incident has raised alarms about industrial storage safety and compliance with building fire codes in Uzbekistan, a rapidly modernizing Central Asian nation. As the country experiences economic growth, concerns about safety protocols have emerged. A report by the World Bank in 2022 highlighted significant deficiencies in fire safety inspections and hazardous goods regulations. Alarmingly, only 35% of urban warehouses had undergone rigorous safety checks in the last decade.
Although Inter Logistics was officially registered and licensed, it remains questionable whether the facility adhered to contemporary fire and electrical safety standards. Attempts to contact company representatives went unanswered, while local reports indicated that the warehouse had previously stored flammable items, including aerosols and pressurized tanks. This information has yet to be verified through official channels.
Witnesses have also raised concerns about the emergency response time. Some claimed it took over 40 minutes for fire units to arrive, by which point the flames had already engulfed the majority of the warehouse. Emergency Services officials promised to review their response logs, though they did not confirm or deny these claims.
In response to the incident, the Uzbek government is under pressure to improve urban safety measures. Lawmakers have called for more rigorous inspections of commercial warehouses, particularly those located close to critical infrastructures, such as airports. Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov has assembled a cabinet-level task force to oversee the investigation and aid in recovery efforts. The Zangiata district government pledged financial assistance to families affected by the explosion, including the family of the deceased teenager.
Tashkent, home to over 2.5 million residents, has witnessed a surge in industrial development and logistics firms in recent years, increasing freight traffic through the airport and the demand for storage services. Unfortunately, safety reforms have not kept pace with this rapid growth.
“The tragedy shows the need for a full-scale risk assessment of our industrial zones,” declared fire safety consultant Timur Ergashev, who has advised logistics firms across the region. “Warehousing flammable or sensitive cargo must come with strict oversight and periodic inspections. Otherwise, this will not be the last time such an explosion rattles an entire city.”
While the explosion did not endanger the airport’s structure or air traffic control systems, aviation experts expressed concern over the risks associated with having high-risk storage facilities so close to international terminals. The shockwave from the blast was felt as far as five miles away, with residents sharing images online of cracked ceilings and damaged storefronts throughout Tashkent.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Uzbekistan announced it has launched a concurrent inquiry to review land use regulations surrounding airports and to assess zoning laws governing logistics and storage areas, with recommendations expected later this fall.
As cleanup efforts continue, investigators are sifting through the debris. Much of the Inter Logistics warehouse has been reduced to charred steel and ash-covered rubble. Fire hazards and air quality are being monitored closely as burnt materials continue to smolder beneath the wreckage.
Observers believe the incident could mark a turning point for public safety reforms in Uzbekistan. As recovery efforts conclude, the nation’s focus will shift to enforcement and oversight with hopes that this avoidable disaster will finally prompt meaningful action.
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