A major fire broke out in a private two-storey house in the Turkestan region, in the village of Algabas, Zhetysai district. 12 people died, including nine children. Emergency services are investigating the causes of the tragedy.
According to Tengrinews.kz, citing the regional emergency department, a report of the fire was received on the morning of 18 November. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the entire residential building, with an area of about 360 square metres, engulfed in flames.
"During reconnaissance and firefighting operations, three people were evacuated from the house in an unconscious state and handed over to an ambulance crew. 12 bodies were found inside, including nine children," the statement said.
According to neighbours, there were guests in the house, as the owners had held an event the day before.
Firefighters have fully extinguished the blaze, but the cause of the incident is still unknown. Investigative authorities are establishing the circumstances of what happened.
According to the police of the Turkestan region, a criminal case has been opened into the fire under the article "Violation of fire safety requirements".
Advisor and Press Secretary to the President, Ruslan Zheldibai, reported that the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
"The government and the regional akim have been instructed to provide all necessary assistance to the close relatives and to conduct an investigation into the causes of the tragedy," Zheldibai stated.
At the same time, on the instructions of the President, a government commission has been set up to establish the circumstances of the fire and submit a report on preliminary findings.