By Bahtiyar Abdulkerimov
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AA) - At least one person died and 163 others were injured in an explosion in a company warehouse in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent early on Thursday, authorities said.
The Ministry for Emergency Situations said the explosion took place in the warehouse of a company in the Sergeli district for reasons unknown.
Firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the fire.
The country’s Health Ministry said that one person died and 163 people were injured in the incident.
It added that 24 of the injured were hospitalized while others were treated at the scene.
Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov also traveled to the site of the explosion, his office said.
At Mirziyoyev’s direction, a government commission was formed under Deputy Prime Minister Acilbay Ramatov to help those hurt or harmed by the explosion, it noted.
The sound of the explosion was heard in many parts of Tashkent, and many people shared images of the explosion on social media.
*Writing by Seda Sevencan