Boysun gas leak disaster: Local residents demand compensation as health risks persist

Following a second gas leak at a Boysun gas field, residents of nearby villages are calling for urgent action as their health and livelihoods face increasing danger. On September 17, a second major accident at the site resulted in four fatalities and eleven injuries. As toxic hydrogen sulfide gas continues to leak from the well, locals are left grappling with health concerns, disrupted lives, and calls for compensation.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Kun.uz visited Kofrun village, where most of the residents had been evacuated. The village, located about 20 kilometers southeast of Boysun city, now stands eerily quiet as only a few return intermittently to tend to their livestock. “We’ve been feeling unwell—headaches and nausea. I had to leave my children in Rabot while I came back to feed the animals,” said a local woman. However, the few who stayed behind expressed frustration, highlighting the challenges of evacuating their homes.

Health and Safety Concerns Mount

Residents are reporting a range of health issues linked to exposure to sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases. Many villagers have complained of headaches, sore throats, and respiratory issues, and some have had to seek medical help repeatedly. Dilrabo Mirzaeva, a local mother, spoke about her ninth-grade daughter who became ill after inhaling the toxic fumes on her way back from school. "This is the third time we’ve brought her to the hospital. The smell of gas is everywhere, even in our home."

Local hospitals are seeing an increase in patients suffering from mild poisoning symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Farhod Abduganiev, head of the Boysun district medical unit, confirmed that patients typically stabilize within a couple of hours, though the gas continues to pose a serious threat to long-term health.

Calls for Compensation and Accountability

As the gas leak remains unresolved, residents are growing increasingly vocal about their demands for compensation from the contracting company responsible for drilling at the gas field. "We need compensation and tax relief. This gas is harmful, and it’s causing a lot of damage," said Mansur Qulmamatov, a resident of Kofrun.

Another villager expressed dissatisfaction with a recent briefing held by local authorities. "They gave us irrelevant information about the gas composition and drilling history. What we need is compensation for the damage done to our lives and homes," he said.

Several villagers, whose income relies on livestock, are now struggling to manage both their households and their herds. With no clear resolution in sight, many families are anxious about where they will live during the harsh winter months.

Economic Strain on Residents

Many residents, who rely on farming and livestock for their livelihood, are now facing increased costs, including transportation to check on their animals. "Since the accident on September 1, I’ve been spending extra just to come back and care for my livestock. I have five children, and we don’t know how long we can keep this up without proper compensation," said a father of five who works in the drilling industry.

The situation has also affected workers employed by companies involved in the drilling operations. Some have complained about unpaid salaries, further worsening the financial strain on families who are already dealing with the fallout from the gas leak.

Future Uncertain for Boysun Residents

As winter approaches, many residents remain in limbo, uncertain about where they will go. The evacuated families have been temporarily housed in school gymnasiums, hospitals, and college dormitories. However, these arrangements are far from ideal, and many are worried about what the coming months will bring.

“If they can’t close the well, they should help us find permanent housing or at least give us financial compensation so we can relocate ourselves. We cannot continue living in these temporary shelters indefinitely,” said one woman, her voice filled with frustration.

As the residents of Boysun await a resolution, their future remains uncertain. The contracting company responsible for the gas well has yet to offer a definitive plan to compensate affected villagers or to close the well and stop the leak. Meanwhile, the people of Boysun continue to live in fear of the toxic fumes that pervade their homes and streets, unsure of when — if ever — relief will come.