(3 March 2026 | Source: MIA "Kazinform")
An investigation is ongoing in Shchuchinsk into a fire at the "Plov Centre" cafe, which occurred after a gas explosion. Law enforcement agencies have detained the owner of the establishment. The number of victims of the tragedy has risen to nine, with six injured people remaining in hospital.
The progress of the investigation is being monitored by the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
HOW THE CRIMINAL CASE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED
According to the Prosecutor's Office of the Akmola Region, a criminal case has been opened into the fire under Part 3 of Article 292 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Violation of Fire Safety Requirements").
According to MIA "Kazinform", on 2 March 2026, in accordance with Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Grounds for Detention"), the owner of the "Plov Centre" cafe was detained.
NUMBER OF DEATHS RISES TO NINE
Two more people injured in the explosion have died in hospital. The number of victims has risen to 9 people.
The head of the health department for the Akmola Region, Nariman Yermek, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reported that patients had arrived with extremely severe burns.
According to him:
- one patient died with burns over more than 70% of the body;
- another female patient died with burns over more than 85% of the body.
Medical staff carried out resuscitation measures, but were unable to save the patients.
CONDITION OF THE INJURED
Two patients in a serious condition remain at the Shchuchinsk District Hospital.
Four more people are undergoing treatment at the multi-disciplinary regional hospital. One female patient is on a ventilator.
To remind you, on 26 February at around 10:00 p.m., in the city of Shchuchinsk, Burabay District, Akmola Region, there was an explosion of a gas-air mixture at the single-storey "Plov Centre" cafe, which was annexed to a five-storey residential building. At the time, 28 people were injured, seven died, among them a 16-year-old girl. Firefighters removed eight gas cylinders from the building and rescued more than 10 people.
Later, by order of the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chingis Arinov, an interdepartmental commission was established, including representatives from relevant agencies.
The akim of Burabay District, Arai Sadykov, announced payments of 2 million tenge to the families of the deceased and 1 million tenge to the injured.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan stated that it is keeping the situation under special control and organised the evacuation of seriously ill patients to the regional centre.