Baku | July 23, 2025
A video circulating on social media has sparked public outrage in Azerbaijan, claiming that water intended for firefighting is being sold to residents in Baku’s Surakhani district.
According to the footage, a water tanker is seen extracting water from a hydrant installed near a residential building—part of the area’s fire safety infrastructure—and allegedly reselling it to residents for 30 Azerbaijani manats (approx. $17 USD) per delivery.
The incident has raised concerns about public safety and misuse of emergency resources, particularly as the water supply in the neighborhood has reportedly been disrupted for an extended period. Locals say they have had limited access to potable water, which has increased their dependency on such informal sources.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but calls for an investigation are growing. Social media users and activists are urging the Baku City Executive Authority and emergency services to look into the matter and prevent further misuse of critical infrastructure.
If confirmed, the allegations could highlight deeper issues in urban water management and emergency preparedness in parts of the capital.
