Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Four people were detained as part of a criminal case related to an explosion at a warehouse in Sergeli district of Tashkent, the Special Government Commission said in a statement. A preventive measure in the form of “bail” was applied to 1 person.

On 28 September, a fire and explosion occurred in a warehouse on the territory of Interlogistics LLC, located in the Sergeli district of Tashkent

The commission reported that the total number of victims of the emergency was 163 people, of whom 150 received minor and 13 serious injuries. One minor citizen died as a result of severe injuries.

Twenty-four victims were hospitalized and received appropriate medical and psychological care. The remaining 138 were referred for outpatient treatment. Currently, the health of all affected citizens has been restored, and the house has been restored.

To quickly resolve the problems of the population, a “Call Center” was created with the short number “1205”. The center received more than 450 requests, and all of them were considered positively.

Food products were delivered to 400 needy families, and financial assistance was provided to 100 of their minor children.

As a result of the emergency, the facade, window frames, doors and roofs of 1,370 apartments in 39 apartment buildings and 246 apartments with land were damaged, and the total amount of damage amounted to 14.5 billion soums.

As a result of the emergency, window frames, doors and the facade of secondary school No. 305 (1,250 places) and kindergarten No. 600 (720 places) in the area were damaged.

Currently, a contractor is attached to these facilities, construction and repair work is underway, the commission notes.

At this point, it is worth noting that after the completion of a comprehensive forensic examination, investigation and trial, the established amount of damages is fully recovered from the defendant, who was found guilty in the manner prescribed by law.

During the investigation into the causes of the emergency, it was discovered that the incident occurred in a warehouse made of sandwich panels. As a result of the fire and explosion, the metal structures of the warehouse were deformed and collapsed.

A large amount of chemicals, construction and other products were stored intermixed in the warehouse without complying with the relevant requirements. 12 tenant companies stored their products in the warehouse.

Chemical tests based on samples from the scene revealed the presence of chemicals such as polyesters, xylenes, hydrocarbons, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, ethylene glycol and high molecular weight carbon ethers.

These substances are components of hydrogen peroxide, alkyd resin, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, latex, polyester resin, caustic soda and stored paint products and are considered to be at high risk of fire and explosion.

When the scene was examined, it was discovered that wallpaper and other flammable materials were stored near the area where the hydrogen peroxide was stored.

According to the investigation, there was a chemical reaction and spontaneous combustion of the chemical and materials stored in the warehouse, which led to the explosion.

Based on this fact, the Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs opened a criminal case under paragraphs “A” and “B” of Article 259 of the Criminal Code.

As part of the criminal case, 4 people were detained, and a preventive measure in the form of “bail” was applied to 1 person.

The commission noted that it will take some time to establish the final causes of the fire and explosion, as well as the amount of damage.

To avoid such unpleasant situations, the responsible ministries and departments are compiling a list of highly flammable goods and products with a high risk of explosion in enterprises and warehouses in the region.

Based on the results of the preliminary study, interested government bodies and organizations are developing a comprehensive action plan to prevent similar emergencies in the future.