In the Panfilov District of the Zhetysu Region, an employee of the Department for Emergency Situations (DES) died during a rescue operation on Lake Altynkol. Civil Protection Major Damir Taranov was carrying out his official duties while rescuing a person who had been carried away on a broken ice floe when a secondary ice break occurred.
HOW THE INCIDENT ON THE LAKE HAPPENED
A report of the incident was received on 7 March 2026. According to available information, an ice break occurred on Lake Altynkol in the Atameken Rural District of Panfilov District, Zhetysu Region, while people were fishing.
As a result, one person ended up on a broken ice floe, which was carried towards the centre of the water body.
To carry out the rescue operation, forces and resources from the Department for Emergency Situations of the Zhetysu Region (DES) were dispatched to the scene. Those involved in the work included:
- employees of Fire Station No. 11 in the city of Zharkent;
- the Operational Rescue Squad of the city of Taldykorgan;
- rescuers from the Republican Rescue Service 'Barys' of the Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES RK);
- employees of the DES of the Almaty Region.
SECONDARY ICE BREAK DURING THE RESCUE OPERATION
During the rescue operation, a secondary ice break occurred.
As a result, the Chief of the Guard of Fire Station No. 11 of the Department for Emergency Situations of the Panfilov District, Civil Protection Major Damir Taranov, died.
WHO WAS DAMIR TARANOV
Damir Tairzhanovich Taranov was born on 28 June 1994.
He began his professional training in the civil protection system in 2012, enrolling at the Kokshetau Technical Institute.
From 2016, he served in the fire service, holding positions in units of the Panfilov District and the city of Kapchagay.
In recent years, Taranov served at Fire Station No. 11 of the Panfilov District, Zhetysu Region, where, according to the department, he proved himself to be an experienced specialist and leader.
Damir Taranov is survived by a wife and two children. Colleagues expressed their condolences to his family and friends.