Two more people were arrested in connection with the gas cylinder explosion at Bek Family Cafe in Gulistan city of Syrdarya province, the Interior Ministry said. One suspect had been previously arrest, according to the provincial police department.
Reportedly, the explosion occurred on December 2 at approximately 10:50 a.m. A 50-liter cylinder of liquefied propane, connected to a stove in violation of fire safety regulations, leaked gas in the kitchen of the cafe, located in the Tarakkiyot neigborhood. The gas mixture ignited and caused the explosion.
As a result, 29 people were injured, three of whom died in the hospital. Five patients, whose condition was assessed by doctors as satisfactory, were sent home. Five patients are in serious condition, while one is in extremely serious condition.
A criminal case has been opened under the part 1 of Abuse of authority by officials of a private company charge, the clauses a and b of Part 2 of the Violation of labor safety regulations resulting in death and other serious consequences), and clauses a and b of Part 2 of the Violation of fire safety regulations resulting in death and other serious consequences charge of the Criminal Code. Three executives of Bek Family Cafe have been arrested.
The investigation is being conducted by a team of experts led by Deputy Interior Minister/Head of Investigative Department Ramazon Ashrapov.
As a reminder, a government commission was previously established to provide assistance to the victims and determine the causes of the tragedy.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during a working visit to the Syrdarya province on Thursday visited the hospital where the victims are being treated. He ordered that 100 million soums to be paid each of the families of the victims within three days. He emphasized that the tragedy should serve as a major lesson for the emergency prevention system.
