Children falling ill, families in limbo: Boysun residents describe health issues linked to gas leak

The majority of residents who took part in the survey stated that the gas smell has particularly affected children, especially infants.

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Below are excerpts from their statements:

“Last time, two elderly men came and said everything was fine, but it’s not. If you came and saw how the children are doing, you’d understand. Infants are being poisoned and are in real distress.”

“Our Boysun used to be a very clean place with great air. But now, we can’t say that anymore. The children are sick, and whatever happens, they say it’s because of the gas. I don’t know how this will end... We don’t need wealth or anything else — we just want to be healthy.”

“It’s really bad. Everyone’s getting poisoned. Kids are fainting in schools. Even if you burn off the gas, the body still absorbs the toxins.”

“The wind is blowing in the opposite direction right now, so there’s no smell. But if it shifts, the stench is like rotten eggs. We’re thinking of moving away, but it’s impossible to sell our homes — there are no buyers. Who would buy them?”

“We can’t sleep at night. The smell comes and goes.”

“The pressure at the gas field is extremely high. I’m not an expert, but I think it’s difficult to control because of that.”

“We’re breathing in gas. People are having diarrhea, and children are ending up in the hospital. It’s tough... The smell the other night was horrible. There was an explosion — many people felt unwell.”

“We’ve had to go live in neighboring districts for 5–10 days. The well was shut down temporarily, but now we’re back to this. I’m staying in Sherobod now, and the smell has reached there too, although not as strong. The day before yesterday, it was unbearable here.”

“We feel dizzy. It’s harming our brain development and function — the effects are serious. We can’t afford to move. The kids’ immunity is weakened. They vomit. When we take them to the hospital, they say they need oxygen and lung cleansing. But I don’t have the money to take them far.”

“We’re worried about the future of our youth. Something must be done. People are silent right now. They neither know how to leave, nor how to stay. Even construction work has come to a halt.”