In the Baikonyr district of Astana, an explosion of a gas-air mixture occurred in a room used for preparing tandyr samsa, located on the territory of a market. As a result of the incident, four people were injured, including one child; there were no fatalities.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the incident took place in a two-storey administrative building on Sh. Zhienkulova Street. According to preliminary information, the explosion was caused by a depressurisation of a composite gas cylinder with a volume of 50 litres, which led to an explosion of the gas-air mixture.
The incident occurred in the room used for preparing tandyr samsa, located on the first floor of the building. As a result of the explosion, part of the ceiling and the doorframe collapsed.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INJURED
Rescuers who arrived at the scene initially found three injured people, who were taken to a medical facility.
Later, according to the Astana Health Department, the number of injured was revised to four people, including one child. Two adults were hospitalised in Multidisciplinary City Hospital No. 1, one patient was released home after examination. The child was hospitalised in Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No. 2.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE CAUSES
According to preliminary data, the explosion occurred due to a breach in the sealing of a 50-litre composite gas cylinder. The final circumstances and causes of the incident are currently being established by specialists.
CONTEXT
This incident also recalls the tragedy that occurred earlier in Shchuchinsk, where an explosion of a gas cylinder in a cafe led to fatalities.
Let us recall that on the night of 26 to 27 February, an explosion of a gas-air mixture occurred in a single-storey cafe attached to a five-storey residential building in Shchuchinsk.
Immediately after the incident, seven people died — some at the scene, others passed away in the first few hours after the explosion. Later, the number of victims increased: several of the injured died in hospitals in the following days and weeks.
According to the latest data, the total number of fatalities reached at least 12 people, and it was later reported to have risen to 13.
A criminal case has been initiated regarding the incident.
