14 forest workers in the Abay region were victims of the fire. June 12 was declared a day of national mourning.
Kazakhstan’s President Kasim-Zhomart Tokayev declared June 12 a day of national mourning for those killed in a massive forest fire in the Abay region. This was reported by the press service of the head of state.
According to the country’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, 14 forest workers were killed.
The fire in the eastern region of Kazakhstan has been raging since June 8, and its area has reached 60,000 hectares.
Hot weather, strong winds and difficult terrain contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. According to the initial version, a lightning discharge may have caused the fire.
1,500 people, 300 pieces of equipment and 11 helicopters were involved in extinguishing. In total, 486 water releases with a volume of more than 1000 tons were made.
The day before, Tokayev fired Yury Ilyin, Minister for Emergency Situations, and signed a decree appointing Sirim Sharipkhanov as head of the department.
It was previously reported that as a result of large natural fires in the Kurgan region of the Russian Federation, seven people died.
Source: korrespondent
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