The incident occurred on September 23 near School No. 51 in Guzor district. At around 11:45 a.m., 22 students from grades 10 and 11 were taken to the district medical association after experiencing nausea, headaches and other symptoms.
An initial investigation found that 88 hectares of farmland belonging to the Shokhmalik Shermurod ogli farming enterprise are located next to Yangiobod neighborhood, where the school is situated. About 20 hectares of the farmland are located around the school, and cotton is grown there.
According to preliminary findings, the farming enterprise sprayed a chemical called Agro Augron at around 9 a.m. on September 23 to accelerate the ripening of the cotton.
The students were subsequently hospitalized with suspected chemical exposure through the air. Doctors initially diagnosed them with gastric dyspepsia syndrome.
Seven students remain hospitalized at the Guzor district medical association, while the other 15 were discharged after their condition improved.
A criminal case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 201 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which covers violations of rules governing the handling of hazardous chemical substances.
Relevant examinations have been ordered as part of the investigation. The Investigative Department of the Kashkadarya regional police is conducting the preliminary investigation.
