Who is to blame for the tragedy in Kulyab: the driver or the authorities?

According to reports from Kulob, those injured in the fatal accident in Kulob are in serious condition.

On August 7, 2023, the Deputy Mayor of Kulob, Orzu Khamidiyon, informed journalists that the health condition of 5 individuals injured in the fatal traffic accident in Kulob is assessed as serious.

According to him, as a result of the tragedy on July 6, “about 10 people died, the condition of 5 injured individuals is assessed as serious, the other 5 are in moderate condition, and 2 others sustained minor injuries and are receiving treatment at home.”

On the evening of the same day, the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan reported, even before the investigation began, that the accident occurred “due to the failure of the vehicle’s braking system, the emergence of technical malfunctions, and the driver’s inability to control the vehicle.”

The press service of the President of Tajikistan also, in a “unique” condolence message from Rahmon, stated that “the cargo truck collided with passenger vehicles and two residential houses due to a technical malfunction, resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to several others.”

Saiyof Mizrob, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “SSSR” and one of the promoters of the government policy of Emomali Rahmon, reported in his video coverage from the scene that the truck was loaded with 90 tons of cargo – 50 tons in the truck itself and another 40 tons in its trailer. He emphasized that as a result of the accident, 11 passenger cars and 3 residential houses were damaged.

The overloaded truck, owned by a company controlled by Emomali Rahmon’s son-in-law, was the cause of the tragedy, although journalist Rustami Joni noted: “In April 2023, a decision by the government of Tajikistan prohibited loading and transporting more than 40 tons of cargo in trucks.”

Sharofiddin Gadoev, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition National Alliance of Tajikistan, told Azda TV:

“The cargo truck that was involved in the accident in Kulob and caused the deaths and injuries of citizens was purchased in China in 2011 by the company ‘Gold Tour Trans,’ owned by me and Umarali Kuvvatov. According to standards, the operational and cargo transport period for this truck is set at 5 years.”

He stated that after the confiscation of the property of Sharofiddin Gadoev and Umarali Kuvvatov, these trucks were transferred to the company LLC “Kafolat Vori Doti Sodorot” of Shamsullo Sokhibov, the son-in-law of President Emomali Rahmon.

He reported that before going on a trip, the truck driver informed the responsible persons at the company that the truck’s brake pads were only 35% functional, but he was told: “Complete one more trip, and we will fix the malfunction.” The truck set off in an emergency condition.

Sharofiddin Gadoev also reported that the operating instructions state that the maximum load capacity of this vehicle is 18.5 tons. However, companies owned by the president’s son-in-law load twice as much, that is, 36-40 tons, to gain more profit. This leads to the breakdown of safety systems in already old and worn-out vehicles.

According to Sharofiddin Gadoev, cargo vehicles should not go on trips in such technical condition. However, technical inspection operators, such as the company “Rushdi Rokhnavard,” which is also owned by Shamsullo Sokhibov, issue permits for cargo transportation without proper inspection, contrary to the country’s legislation and road safety rules.

At the same time, the head of the “Vatandor” movement, Dododjon Atovulloev, questioned all the above arguments and reasons and wrote:

“Could it be that the driver ran over people according to a pre-arranged plan? Could the driver, dissatisfied with the politics and games, fatigue and injustice, have turned into a suicide bomber?!”

The head of the “Vatandor” movement believes that the level of dissatisfaction, animosity towards the government, protests, hatred, and anger in Tajikistan has reached a point where the dissatisfied can do anything.

“I hear every day: ‘Better to die than to live like this.’ At the moment, two vehicles stand opposite each other. The vehicle of the tyranny of the government and the vehicle of animosity and dissatisfaction of a hungry, tormented, and powerless people. Which brakes will fail first?!,” writes Atovulloev.

At the same time, opposition movements such as the National Alliance of Tajikistan and the political movement “Group 24” have not reported anything about the causes and factors of this fatal traffic accident, apart from expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes for the recovery of the injured.

However, many social media users believe that the statements from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the press service of the President of Tajikistan, and other authorities in cities and districts of the country are “hasty” and intended to conceal the essence of this problem, and are published to shape public opinion. In reality, all heads of the relevant authorities, whose negligence led to this tragedy, should be held accountable.

The cargo vehicle of the brand “Dulan,” which on the evening of August 6 crashed into 11 passenger cars and 3 residential houses, resulting in about 10 deaths and more than 14 injuries, belonged to a company controlled by “Faroz.” The company “Faroz” is owned by Shamsullo Sokhibov, the son-in-law of President Rahmon.