In the city of Temirtau, Karaganda region, three minors received an electric shock in the area of residential buildings in block 4A. All victims were hospitalised, and their condition is assessed as moderate severity.
HOW THE INCIDENT OCCURRED
The incident occurred on 22 April near a construction site next to buildings 8/1 and 9/1. According to residents, a high-voltage cable runs from a transformer box along the fence next to the construction site of three state-owned multi-storey buildings.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the children tried to climb over the fence to retrieve a ball that had entered the construction site. At that moment, he received an electric shock. Two other children who tried to help were also injured.
WHAT CONDITION THE CHILDREN ARE IN
The Karaganda Region Health Department reported that upon admission to hospital, the children's condition was assessed as stable, of moderate severity. All were placed in the intensive care unit, where they received conservative treatment.
The children have now been transferred to a specialised ward for further observation.
HAD RESIDENTS PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED
Residents of nearby houses stated that they had repeatedly contacted the Housing and Communal Services Department with complaints about the sagging cable. According to them, the last complaint, along with photo and video materials, was sent on 2 March.
CRIMINAL CASE AND INVESTIGATION
The Karaganda Region Police Department reported that a criminal case has been opened into the incident under the article on ‘Negligence’.
Investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of the incident.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The situation raises the issue of the safety of high-risk facilities located near places where people live and spend their leisure time.
A similar high-profile case previously occurred on 19 June 2024: a 17-year-old teenager died in a fountain on the territory of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. It was reported that the young man entered the fountain despite a prohibition sign. Initial assumptions suggested the cause of death could have been an electric shock. However, as the expert examination showed, death resulted from mechanical asphyxia due to airway obstruction by water during drowning.
Regarding this incident, the police initiated a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 141 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (‘Improper performance of duties to ensure the safety of life and health of a minor’). However, no suspects were identified, and the owner of the fountain was a witness in the case.