A series of tragic carbon monoxide poisoning incidents across Uzbekistan has resulted in the deaths of 18 people, prompting urgent safety warnings from regional emergency authorities. The alarming death toll has highlighted systemic issues regarding residential heating safety and the distribution of unauthorized equipment.

The most severe incident occurred on October 25 in the village of Chimyon, Fergana region, where seven members of a single family perished. Tragically, on the exact same day, another six individuals succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning in Tashkent. The grim pattern continued into November when an additional five fatalities were recorded in the city of Kokand.

According to the Fergana Region Emergency Management Department, the disasters are allegedly linked to severe violations in the installation and operation of Vaillant dual-circuit gas boilers. Authorities claim that some of these heating units may have been illicitly imported into the country as spare parts, restored through makeshift methods, and subsequently sold to unsuspecting consumers as brand-new products. * *

Furthermore, inspectors have identified dangerous technical discrepancies, including the improper use of plastic sewage pipes as makeshift chimneys and the obstruction of critical ventilation air intake openings. These gross violations inevitably cause incomplete gas combustion, leading to the lethal release of odorless carbon monoxide within residential spaces.

In response to the crisis, officials have strongly advised residents utilizing similar heating appliances to immediately engage certified professionals for comprehensive safety inspections. Consumers are also urged to rigorously verify quality certificates, instruction manuals, and compliance standards prior to purchasing any heating equipment.

Source: podrobno.uz