Kazakh government bodies refuted six reports that were circulating on social media from 1 to 15 October 2026. Among them were rumours about plague, military enlistment office raids, deaths at a Kairat Nurtas concert and military equipment. Five people were held administratively liable for spreading false information.
FIRE AT SCIENTIFIC CENTRE LINKED TO PLAGUE
A fire in the administrative building of the National Scientific Centre for Particularly Dangerous Infections was being linked to unconfirmed reports of plague cases in Russia.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported that the centre's specialised laboratories were not affected.
The fire did not reach the premises where research is conducted. The hermetic sealing of the laboratories was not compromised.
INFORMATION ABOUT ENLISTMENT OFFICE RAIDS CIRCULATED ON TELEGRAM
Visitors to computer clubs were invited to Telegram bots where the locations of military enlistment office raids were allegedly shown.
The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan reminded that citizens receive call-up notices including via SMS and the eGov personal account.
RUMOURS ABOUT MILITARY EQUIPMENT AFTER EXERCISES
Reports also circulated on social media that military equipment had not returned to its bases after international exercises.
The Ministry of Defence refuted this information. According to the department, the exercises ended on 6 October 2026, after which the equipment was returned to its permanent deployment locations.
RUMOURS ABOUT DEATHS AT A KAIRAT NURTAS CONCERT
Information appeared on social media about several deaths and more than 100 injured at a Kairat Nurtas concert in Shymkent.
The city health department refuted these reports.
According to official data, eight people sought medical assistance at the Kazhymukan Munaitpasov stadium. Seven were released home after examination.
An 18-year-old girl with injuries was taken to hospital. She is under doctors' observation.
WHAT OTHER REPORTS WERE REFUTED
Rumours also appeared online about the transfer of Almaty's water supply and sewerage networks to an outside company.
The enterprise Almaty Su stated that it continues to service the city's networks. Transfer of management to another organisation is not envisaged.
Another fake concerned the possibility of changing one's individual identification number (IIN).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MVD) explained that an IIN is assigned once and does not change.
FIVE PEOPLE HELD LIABLE
During the period from 1 to 15 October 2026, five people were held administratively liable for spreading false information on social media.
Which specific reports they spread and what penalties they received is not specified in the summary.
