Fire claims life of three-year-old, more than 150 evacuated

On January 31 this year, a fire broke out at the Aviator shopping and entertainment center located on Parkent Street in Tashkent’s Yashnobod district. A report about the incident was received by the Tashkent City Department of Emergency Situations via the 112 system.

In response to the report, rescue units promptly arrived at the scene and immediately began rescue and evacuation operations. It was reported that more than 150 people were inside the building on the second floor at the time. Thanks to the swift and professional actions of emergency service personnel, all individuals were safely evacuated.

After evacuation and rescue operations were fully completed, reconnaissance work was carried out inside the building to determine whether any people remained in other areas. Firefighting efforts then continued, and the blaze was fully extinguished at 5:17 p.m.

Tragically, during search operations at the site, the body of a minor child born in 2023 was found under the debris. The deceased child was discovered in the children’s play area.

A pre-investigation inquiry is currently underway. Prosecutorial authorities and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been involved in the process. Specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations’ fire-technical laboratory are working to determine the cause of the fire.

It was reported that additional information will be provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations once the causes of the fire are established.

Behzod Shamsutdinov