Hydrogen sulfide leak reported again in Boysun (video)

Reports have surfaced on social media regarding another hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) leak caused by a technical malfunction in pipeline No. 202 of the “25th Anniversary of Independence” gas and chemical complex, located in the “Kofrun” mahalla of Boysun district, Surkhandarya region. The Regional Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change has conducted an investigation into the incident.

The inquiry involved the Regional Departments of Ecology, Emergency Situations, and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service, along with other relevant agencies.

According to their findings, on June 8, from 08:00 to 11:00, H₂S levels were measured at five locations around the affected site using specialized monitoring equipment. Measurements were taken around the well (at a distance of 500 meters), and at points 1000 to 3000 meters away in the eastern, western, and northern directions, as well as in the “Kofrun” mahalla (1500 meters away). The results showed that hydrogen sulfide levels did not exceed permissible limits at any of the sites.

The working group concluded that continuous atmospheric monitoring will be carried out in the region moving forward.

It is worth recalling that a similar incident occurred on September 1 last year in the same area. A leak of hydrogen sulfide gas from well No. 604 at the “Mustaqillikning 25 yilligi” mine occurred due to a technical failure during drilling operations. Residents living nearby were evacuated to ensure public safety. Senior officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister, arrived on-site to oversee the emergency response. Efforts to contain the leak included installing an anti-leakage device (PVO) on September 14, pressurizing the system, and injecting a barite-based solution. The leak was fully stopped by the evening of September 15. At a press conference held on September 18, Deputy Minister of Ecology Jusipbek Kazbekov confirmed that the situation was industrial in nature and that high levels of hydrogen sulfide were not being released. However, Uktam Utayev, Head of the Department for Supervision of Ecological Legislation at the Prosecutor General’s Office, reported two fatalities at the time. Later, it was confirmed that four people had died and 11 were injured and hospitalized. On September 17, another high-pressure hydrogen sulfide leak occurred from the side of well No. 604.