Was there an explosion at the M-25 gas field in Surkhandarya?

The incident at the M-25 gas field in the Boysun district of the Surkhandarya region sparked widespread controversy after videos appeared on social media showing a burning gas flare at well 202. Many users interpreted the incident as an "explosion," "disaster," and "uncontrolled fire," sparking a wave of alarming and often emotional messages.

However, official sources, including the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, stated that the incident was not an explosion or accident, but rather a controlled technical gas flaring or a re-ignition after the fire had temporarily died down. According to the ministry, such measures are carried out by specialists to prevent the uncontrolled release of hazardous gases and reduce environmental and toxic risks, and the process itself is under constant professional supervision.

Residents of nearby villages did indeed report the smell of gas or hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sometimes referred to as the "smell of sulfur." ​​However, claims that the "odor spread throughout the region," "covered the area," or "is felt everywhere" have not been officially confirmed and are likely emotionally exaggerated. Official statements emphasize that the odor could be detected directly in the area of ​​the field and in nearby villages, but not throughout the Surkhandarya region. Similarly, online descriptions of "tons of gas burning uncontrollably," "fire fields," or a "catastrophic fire" distort the facts, creating the impression of a large-scale accident that has not been confirmed by competent authorities.

Currently, there have been no official reports of casualties or a critical threat to the population. Authorities claim the situation is stable and under control. However, experts remind residents that if they notice a strong chemical odor near such objects, experience dizziness, or difficulty breathing, they should immediately close their windows, use a breathing mask, temporarily leave the area if possible, and contact emergency services or medical facilities.

Therefore, the very fact of what is happening at the field is real—controlled gas flaring was observed at the well, and local residents smelled a characteristic odor nearby. However, narratives circulating online about an "explosion," "regional air pollution," "disaster," and "uncontrolled fire" do not correspond to official data and are clear examples of dramatization and distortion of information. In such situations, it is crucial to rely on verified sources, such as official statements from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health, or local administrations, and not spread unverified interpretations that could cause unfounded panic.

If you encounter questionable news, are unsure of its veracity, or notice signs of disinformation, it is best to submit the material for verification to specialized fact-checking platforms, for example, via a bot: https://t.me/factch_bot.

The definitive verdict on this case is as follows: the information about controlled gas flaring and the smell near the field is true, but the claims about an "explosion," "tons of gas burning uncontrollably," and "damaging the entire region" are unconfirmed and fall into the category of fake or dramatized interpretations.

Factchecker.uz verdict: fake