Following the Tragedy at Aviator in Samarkand, Children’s Areas and Food Courts Closed in Two Shopping Malls

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In the aftermath of the tragedy at the Aviator shopping center in Samarkand, children’s areas and food courts in two major shopping malls have been temporarily closed.

During scheduled inspections, officers of the Emergency Situations Department identified violations of fire safety requirements at Makon Mall.

As a result, the third and fourth floors, which house a children’s playground, a food court, and a number of retail outlets, have been closed until all identified deficiencies are fully remedied.

Similar violations were also found at Family Park shopping center, where the Penta Zone children’s play area has been temporarily shut down.

According to Ilkhom Bokiev, a representative of the Samarkand regional Emergency Situations Department, inspections of shopping centers are ongoing and may soon extend to other facilities across the region.

The inspection raids are being conducted with the authorization of the business ombudsman and with prior notification of entrepreneurs.