In Tashkent, the edge of a pit excavated for a future hotel collapsed on Beruni Street, near the metro station of the same name. The collapse occurred close to a nine-story residential building, according to the Telegram channel Tashkent_Land.
The press service of the Tashkent City Mayor's Office said the situation is under the personal oversight of city mayor Shavkat Umurzakov. On his orders, a special commission was promptly formed, bringing together representatives of the Emergency Situations Agency, the State Inspectorate for Construction and Housing and Utilities Oversight, prosecutorial authorities, the Almazar District Mayor's Office, and other relevant agencies.
"Priority measures are being taken to eliminate the threat to public safety, cordon off the hazardous area, and restrict access to it. Specialists are examining the causes of the incident, as well as the condition of the surrounding area, road surfaces, and utility infrastructure," the statement said.
One video from the scene suggested there may have been a casualty. City officials said that, as of the time of the report, no one had sought medical assistance.
"Based on the results of the inquiry, a legal assessment will be made of the actions of those responsible. All individuals found to have violated urban planning legislation and construction regulations will without question be held liable under the law," the city administration said, calling on "all parties involved in construction activity to strictly observe established safety standards and requirements."
The State Inspectorate for Construction and Housing and Utilities Oversight, which operates under the Cabinet of Ministers, said its staff, together with specialists from other agencies, went to the site after reports began circulating on social media.
According to preliminary information, part of the pit collapsed due to negligence on the part of the contractor while excavation was underway at the site of a hotel under construction in the Orzular neighborhood of Tashkent's Almazar district.
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