Uzbekistan has responded to reports about a possible strong earthquake.

Uzbekistan has responded to reports about a possible strong earthquake.

Following the UN’s warning that earthquakes are the most destructive natural disasters and its call for Central Asian countries to be prepared, as well as noting that some regions of Uzbekistan — particularly the Fergana Valley — are considered high‑risk seismic zones, the country’s Institute of Seismology issued a statement.

According to laboratory head Ulfat Nurmatov, Uzbekistan is a seismically active region, and potential earthquakes have been thoroughly studied. Seismic hazard maps have been developed for the republic, and all buildings and structures are constructed according to these standards.

The expert emphasized that even if the Fergana Valley’s fault lines reach maximum seismic potential, tremors would generally not exceed magnitude 8, and in some parts of Andijan could reach 9. He added that the probability of an earthquake stronger than magnitude 8 within the next 50 years is only 5%. Specialists therefore urged the public not to believe unfounded reports and not to panic.