Senate issues parliamentary inquiry to Cabinet of Ministers following surge in emergency fatalities

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Uzbekistan recorded 82 major emergency situations over the past year. These incidents resulted in 256 people sustaining injuries and claimed the lives of 221 individuals. A closer look at the data reveals an alarming upward trend in domestic hazards compared to 2024. Specifically, the total number of fires across the country escalated by 12.7% in 2026, while the related death toll climbed by 7%.

Gas safety has emerged as an especially critical concern for lawmakers. In 2025, the country experienced 71 separate instances of air-gas mixture explosions. These structural and domestic blasts caused the number of fatalities to triple compared to the previous year, jumping from 12 deaths to 37. Concurrently, the number of citizens who suffered bodily injuries from gas explosions rose by 68%, increasing from 109 to 179 victims.

The upper house of parliament stated that a thorough analysis of recent disasters reveals a series of persistent, systemic vulnerabilities that undermine national public safety. Key problem areas include delays in fully deploying localized forecasting networks, poor data exchange between relevant government departments, and a distinct lack of institutional integration. Furthermore, senators pointed out a pressing need to expand specialized scientific research into modern disaster risks and to address the shortage of qualified emergency management personnel.

Members of the Senate concluded by stressing that the government must take immediate, practical steps to modernize its infrastructure. They emphasized that the state must shift its focus toward proactive prevention, early threat detection, and implementing rapid response strategies to minimize the devastating human and economic impact of future emergencies.