Uzbekistan explosion: Fire reported near airport in capital Tashkent

Health Ministry reported injuries at the scene and in surrounding areas of Tashkent

Specialists work to extinguish fire following an explosion at a warehouse near an airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Reuters

Specialists work at the scene following an explosion at a warehouse near an airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in this picture released September 28, 2023. Government of Uzbekistan/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT.

The blaze destroyed the warehouse and injured dozens of workers. Reuters

An investigation into the cause is under way. Reuters

Smoke rises from the scene. AFP

A powerful explosion occurred near the airport of the Uzbek capital Tashkent overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, local media reported, with authorities saying the blast resulted in injuries.

According to witnesses quoted by the news website Nova24, the explosion took place at a customs warehouse near the airport, with videos circulating on social media showing a column of flames and smoke rising into the night sky.

The Health Ministry said a “fire” had been reported during the night at the warehouse, and that an unspecified number of injured people had been taken to hospital, AFP reported.

“At the moment, there are not any seriously injured among them. Right now, doctors are furnishing all necessary medical assistance,” the ministry said on Telegram.

“Emergency medical care is also being provided to people injured in the fire at the scene of the accident and in the surrounding apartments.”

Flights at Tashkent International Airport appeared to be taking off and landing as normal, data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed.

A notice sent to pilots said a runway at the airport would be closed for take-off and landing for at least five hours on Thursday, Reuters reported, but a segment would still be available for taxiing.

Uzbekistan is the most populous of the central Asian former Soviet republics, and fires attributed to dilapidated equipment and poor adherence to safety standards are common there.

Accidents of this magnitude, however, are still rare.