Two workers were killed after a vehicle tire exploded during maintenance work at a mining site operated by the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC) in Uzbekistan.

The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. (GMT+5) on September 10 at a storage area for used vehicle tires belonging to Transport Department No. 1 of the Pistali site at the Kyzylkum Mining Administration, according to podrobno.uz.

According to the company, the tire exploded while workers were carrying out tire-fitting work on a trailer attached to a pipe-hauling truck. Two employees died in the accident.

Law enforcement authorities have launched a preliminary investigation, while relevant state agencies are conducting a special inquiry to determine the circumstances and causes of the incident.

NMMC said its responsible services are taking measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.