President’s spokesman Sherzod Asadov at a briefing on Monday explained why the Ministry of Defense calls the explosion that occurred on Saturday at a warehouse in a military unit in Syrdarya province an isolated one.

“The media and bloggers are asking the question – what is a single explosion? A single explosion is an explosion that is not followed by any detonation. The warehouse where the incident occurred was built in the 1940s, and as per outdated technical rules, large stocks of ammunition were stored in such warehouses. After 2016, on the President’s instruction, all warehouses are being reconstructed. Next to all the warehouses, small warehouses are being built in accordance with international standards, where small stocks of ammunition are stored,” he said.

“Engineering work is carried out at all facilities in accordance with international standards. Thanks to this, even if an explosion occurred, dangerous objects are prevented from spreading around. The explosion in the Syrdarya province occurred in just such a warehouse, and due to the fact that safety requirements were met, the damage was not so great. The blast wave hit the roofs and windows of buildings located nearby,” Sherzod Asadov said.

He specified that "the president had been promptly notified of all such man-made events." A task force was immediately dispatched to the scene. She was primarily engaged in the analysis of destruction in the province. In addition, a special commission was set up headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Achilbay Ramatov and Syrdarya province governor Gafurjon Mirzaev, who is entasked with the prompt elimination of the consequences of the explosion.

Now the installation of glass shattered by the blast wave, the replacement of frames and doors, the repair of roofs, ceilings and other damaged elements of residential buildings, as well as buildings of kindergartens, schools, medical institutions, public and private organizations, continues.

“As a result of the incident, 17 people were injured. Now in hospitals, medical care is provided to 7 military servicemen,” he said.

“Investigations are underway. The factors that caused [the explosion] will be studied and announced to the general public. This issue is under the control of the president,” Sherzod Asadov said.