Mosques under surveillance after gas explosion in Andijan

Following the gas explosion that occurred at the Ahmadali Haji Mosque in the Andijan region on March 31, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan announced that mosques across the country are now under inspection for compliance with fire safety regulations, as well as hot water and heating systems.

“Planned efforts are continually being carried out to create comfortable and safe conditions for Muslim believers to worship freely. Special attention is given during holidays, when large congregations gather, to ensure peace and order across mosque premises, auxiliary buildings, ablution facilities, and nearby structures. For example, during the past month of Ramadan and Eid, a central headquarters was established at the Muslim Board, and 24-hour duty shifts were arranged in mosques. As a result, the holy days were observed peacefully,” the statement said.

It was further noted that ongoing inspections are being conducted to ensure mosques comply with technical and fire safety standards, as well as the availability of hot water and thermal energy. Regional working groups—comprising representatives of local governments, specialists from regional departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Construction, and Housing and Communal Services—are actively involved in these preventive measures.

“During the inspections, deficiencies in the hot water and heating systems of certain mosques that did not meet the established requirements were swiftly addressed, and the supply of heat and natural gas is being restored,” the report noted.

The department also urged the public to understand the importance of these preventive steps and to cooperate fully.

“These efforts aim to ensure that our citizens have safe and comfortable conditions for prayer,” the statement emphasized.

It should be recalled that on March 31, at 12:19 PM, the Andijan Regional Fire and Rescue Department received a report of an air-gas mixture explosion at the Ahmadali Haji Mosque located in the Mirzo Ulugbek Mahalla. Two rescue teams and two fire and rescue units were immediately dispatched to the site. 

Upon being informed, Deputy Prime Minister Ochilboy Ramatov and Minister of Emergency Situations, Major General Botir Kudratkhodjaev, who were in the region at the time, promptly arrived in Izboskan district. Later, Mufti Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazar, Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, also visited the scene. 

In the aftermath of the incident, a government commission was formed by decree of the Cabinet of Ministers under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Ramatov. A criminal case was also launched in connection with the explosion, which injured 10 people and claimed the lives of 3 individuals on site. The Andijan regional prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal case under Articles 205 (Abuse of Power or Official Authority) and 259 (Violation of Fire Safety Regulations) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.