"People are scared": Residents of Kofrun and Baysun continue to live in anxiety.

The situation at the gas field "25 Years of Independence" in the Baysun district remains unstable. This was confirmed by video recordings made at the site on January 18. Kun.uz visited the location to assess the situation.

Large and small cracks have formed around the major well, from which gas continues to escape. As one approaches them, it becomes evident that the gas burns under high pressure, and a strong unpleasant odor is felt while moving around the field.

Residents of the village of Kofrun, near where gas seeps from the ground, are concerned about the indifference of the authorities to the situation. According to one local resident, law enforcement officials are pressuring those who give interviews to journalists and bloggers. This has led to some bloggers breaking their promises not to show people's faces. Perhaps this is why some have refused to be interviewed.

"One blogger came, promised to show his videos, but they never came out. Then they started pressuring one woman, putting pressure on my family. My wife told him everything as it was. Later she was summoned to the police station. After that, she ended up in the hospital. Since then, I am afraid to speak. The gas is present, it can be felt in the morning and evening, it's dangerous when it comes out of the ground," says one of the residents of Kofrun.

According to an employee of the beautification department, the smell of gas usually appears during strong winds.

" We used to suffer from the smell of gas, but now we are used to it. It's like with monotonous food: at first, it's hard, then you get used to it. But still, it's probably harmful. When we go to the mahalla, they say everything is fine, but if you get closer to the fiery cracks and ask about the situation, the guards reply: 'What's it to you? Get out of here,'" he says.

During a survey, several residents claimed that the fiery cracks and the gas smell do not negatively affect them. However, others noted that children frequently suffer from allergic diseases.

"Allergies, rashes on the face have become more frequent; they say it's due to the gas. Adults also experience it. Recently, my sister's daughter-in-law had a rash on her face; she went to Tashkent and was told it was an allergy from the gas. This keeps happening. Weeks pass, and the rash reappears. Such illnesses occur more often in women.

"We would like doctors to come and check the children's health. But they don't come. They should come from Baysun or Termez to check the children for free. They are not being examined. Many try to hide the situation. People, as best as they can, do not speak ill. We don't know what will happen, but people are scared," says one of the local women.

Additionally, women concerned about their children's health reported that some have already moved from the village, and the number of fiery cracks exceeds 50.

"Some have already left here; the number of students has decreased. For example, more than 50 students have moved to other places. Parents have taken their children away. We told you about those who left since September.

"Sometimes we don't smell the gas. They say the smell appears on hot days. They say there are over 50 fiery cracks, but we haven't seen them. Those who passed by said they burn on both sides. The guards say nothing. Now some are buying houses in Tashkent or Termez and leaving because it’s dangerous to live here," reported the women interviewed by Kun.uz.

After speaking with local residents, we encountered a woman gathering firewood for the tandyr. According to her, the responsible authorities have not yet made a final decision about relocating or leaving people in place.

"The hokims come. But they say nothing about the gas. Many say the gas is affecting them. People are afraid to work here. Because of this gas, two people have died. There is no work in the village, only in gardens and schools. But those who work there have an education. The gas field is far from us, so the smell doesn't reach us. But they don't say whether they will relocate us or not. Right now, we don't know whether to renovate our house or build a new one," says the woman.

Residents state that although the smell of toxic gas is not as strong now, the cases of allergic diseases among children are causing serious concern. In November 2024, there was another explosion at the field, after which the fire and unpleasant odor diminished. At that time, Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov stated that stabilizing the situation would take 2-3 months. However, despite the three months that have passed, the minister has not made any statements regarding the situation. Requests from Kun.uz also went unanswered.

Prepared by Shahzod Urokboev.

Operator and editor: Nizomjon Toshpulotov.