Tashkent (Web Desk): A powerful explosion in a warehouse of Uzbek capital Tashkent, killed a teenage boy and injured at least 162 people on Thursday, following a fire caused by a lightning strike.
According to Uzbek health ministry, a boy, aged 16 or 17, died on the spot.
The ministry also said that 24 of the people who sustained serious injuries were admitted to hospitals and the remaining 138 were treated for their injuries and sent home according to the health ministry.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations said that the explosion happened early in the morning at a warehouse near airport in southern Tashkent but did not reveal the cause of fire in warehouse.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with one report of “strong lightning”.
The situation at the scene of the warehouse explosion in Tashkent, Uzbekistan is “under control” as emergency workers continue efforts to fully extinguish a fire caused by the explosion, the Uzbek Ministry of Emergencies later gave an update.
Tashkent International Airport was functioning as normal as flights were taking off and landing according to their schedule, its administration said.
According to a post on social media from Uzbek media outlet Daryo, 16 fire and rescue crews were sent to fight the fire at one of the warehouses located in the city’s Sergeli district near the airport.
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