Truth is hard to come by in the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan. The government is one of the most repressive in the world and rarely allows international journalists or human rights groups into the country. Earlier this month, a munitions depot exploded in the city of Abadan, Turkmenistan. The government says the explosion killed only 15 to 20 people. But observers and political dissidents who receive citizen reports from inside Turkmenistan estimate the death toll could be around 1,400.

These observers risk their freedom to report honestly on what’s happening in Turkmenistan. Today, we speak with one of them. For his safety we have agreed to alter his voice and to not identify him by his real name.