Investigation of explosions in Zhambyl region underway

Identities of three more men killed in the explosions at the military warehouse in Zhambyl region have been established. They were staff members of the Regional Department of Emergency Situations. Among them are senior sergeant Kuatbek Gafan, born in 1995, sergeant Adlet Adilbek, born in 1987, and private Alibi Kenes, born in 1999. This was announced by the spokesperson of the Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs Nurdilda Oraz. According to him, a newly-formed operational unit is investigating the accident. In addition, employees of the central apparatus of the Internal Affairs Ministry, a team of sappers and dog handlers are carrying out the search work on the site of the accident.

“Appropriate forensic examinations have been appointed. A brigade of sappers is working at the scene. Dog handlers also carry out search work. The bodies of 15 servicemen and rescuers were found. The work on protecting public order and eliminating the consequences of the incident involves more than 800 police officers and soldiers of the National Guard, 113 units of special equipment, including 54 units from the Police Department and 59 from other state bodies,” Oraz said.

Also, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accepted the resignation of Kazakh Minister of Defense Nurlan Yermekbayev. Murat Bektanov was appointed a new Minister of Defense. Previously, he was the First Deputy Minister of Defense - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. In 2016, he headed the regional command ‘Vostok’.

Translated by Saule Mukhamejanova