Schoolboy killed in crash en route to Andijan Polka rehearsals; record event proceeds the next day

A schoolboy was killed and several other students were hospitalized after a passenger vehicle carrying them to a mass cultural dance event collided with a cargo truck in Asaka district.

The fatal traffic accident occurred on June 23, 2026, as the children were traveling to participate in prep sessions for a large-scale performance of the traditional "Andijan Polka." The tragedy first came to public attention after a social media user posted a detailed account of the incident in the comments section under an Instagram post by Andijan regional governor Shuhrat Abdurahmonov.

According to reports, the victims were students from School No. 14 in Asaka district. Following the crash, the injured minors were rushed to the intensive care unit of a local hospital, where one of the boys succumbed to his injuries despite emergency medical efforts.

The regional traffic safety department’s press service verified the details of the crash, pointing out that the students had made the journey without official oversight. Officials stated that Asaka district public education department had originally allocated a dedicated municipal bus to transport all authorized student participants safely to and from the rehearsals scheduled in the city of Andijan.

Instead of waiting for the official transport, a group of students independently arranged to travel in a private Damas micro-van. On the way, their vehicle collided with a heavy Zil cargo truck. Traffic authorities confirmed that while one student lost his life, the medical status of the remaining hospitalized children has since stabilized.

The investigative department under the Asaka District Internal Affairs Bureau has launched a formal criminal investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and evaluate liability.

The day after the fatal accident, on June 24, 2026, the main regional stadium in the center of Andijan went ahead with the planned cultural event, successfully setting a record for the traditional dance. Approximately 20,000 participants performed the routine simultaneously. Official photographs published by the regional administration’s press office showed that substantial numbers of young children were among the thousands gathered on the stadium field.