Gas leak crisis returns to Boysun after new explosion

Disturbing footage shared on social media from the Boysun district of Surkhandarya region showed scenes resembling a volcanic eruption. The video captured flames burning at the major “25 Years of Independence” gas field. The new footage circulated alongside reports of another accident at the site.

Residents said a recent accident at the field had caused a strong smell of gas to spread throughout the area. After the explosion, the flame went out, and a foul-smelling cloud drifted over nearby villages, entering residential homes.

One local resident, in a video message, said that although there is electricity, his family has been forced to light candles to mask the smell of gas inside their home:

“There is light, but you might wonder why we light candles. I went outside to show the reason – something happened again at the ‘25 Years of Independence’ gas field, and everything smells of gas. It’s impossible to breathe, even inside the house.”

Kun.uz has sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Energy regarding the incident. The ministry’s press service said an official statement is being prepared.

The M25 gas field in the Boysun district has been a source of environmental concern for more than a year. During this period, several accidents have occurred at the site, causing severe air pollution in nearby villages and even in the center of Boysun. The first major incident took place on 1 September 2024 and took more than two weeks to eliminate its consequences. A second accident occurred on 17 September, which resulted in human casualties.