Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Four members of a family died as a result of a gas explosion in the Koshrabod district of Samarkand region.

The incident occurred on 22 October at approximately 6:30 AM in a house located in the "Mustakillik" neighborhood. Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

It is reported that the homeowner turned on the light, unaware of the gas leak, which led to the explosion.

The deceased have been identified as R. S., M. S., and their children, F. Kh. and D. Kh.

Hayot Shamsutdinov, the press secretary of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan, stated that a preliminary investigation is underway regarding the incident.

In connection with the gas explosion, criminal cases have been initiated against officials of the district gas supply enterprise under articles 207 (Negligence) and 259 (Violation of Fire Safety Rules) of the Criminal Code, as reported by the press service of the General Prosecutor’s Office.