Two employees of Fire Station No. 9 (FS-9) in the city of Kurchatov, Arnur Adkenov and Yermek Sydykov, died in a road traffic collision (RTC) on the Semey — Kurchatov highway while travelling to their place of duty after an alarm was raised. Following the tragedy, their colleagues called for a review of the conditions of service organisation and the requirements for personnel arrival times.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Police Department (PD) of the Abai region, on 26 August at approximately 15.30, a Chevrolet Nexia and a Kia Rio collided at the 35th kilometre of the Semey — Kurchatov highway.
Police reported that the driver of the Chevrolet Nexia, while overtaking a "Gazel" van travelling ahead, veered into the oncoming lane, where a head-on collision occurred with the Kia Rio. As a result of the accident, the drivers and passengers of both vehicles died.
Among the deceased were employees of the Department for Emergency Situations (DES) of the Abai region, who served at FS-9 in the city of Kurchatov — Arnur Adkenov and Yermek Sydykov.
WHAT COLLEAGUES SAID
According to the Telegram channel "HALYQSTAN", following the deaths of the employees, the personnel of FS-9 appealed via social media to have the circumstances of service organisation reviewed. The appeal was published by the public association (PA) "OSA".
The appeal states that a significant portion of the station's staff live in Semey and travel roughly 130–140 km to reach their place of duty in Kurchatov. According to them, throughout August they were repeatedly raised by alarm with requirements to report to the unit within a limited timeframe.
According to the appeal, on 26 August, the day of the RTC, personnel were also raised by alarm. Arnur Adkenov and Yermek Sydykov, as their colleagues claim, were heading to their place of duty.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INSPECTION OF FS-9
The appeal also claims that FS-9 has been without a station chief and deputy station chief for over a year, and the burden on the active personnel has increased.
The PA "OSA" stated that the circumstances of service organisation, the alarm and inspection systems, and the requirements for arrival times all need objective review. The association stressed that the review should establish both any potential violations and the absence of grounds for certain employee claims, should they not be confirmed.
WHAT ACTION HAS THE DES TAKEN
The DES of the Abai region reported the launch of an official investigation into the incident. The department expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and stated that it continues to provide them with the necessary assistance and support.
According to the DES, the results of the investigation will provide an objective assessment of the actions of officials. A link between the conditions of service organisation, the declared alarm, and the circumstances of the RTC has not yet been established in the materials provided.
