Fire in southern Kazakhstan: 12 people killed, 9 of them children

Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed condolences over the deaths of 12 people in a fire that broke out in a private home in the Turkestan region.
According to the Emergency Situations Department (DChS) of the Turkestan region, on the morning of November 18 a report was received about a fire in a two-story private residential house in the village of Algabas in the Zhetysai district.
When the fire brigade arrived, it was determined that the house was completely engulfed in flames.

“During the search and firefighting operation, three unconscious individuals were evacuated from the house and handed over to ambulance crews. Inside, 12 bodies were found, including nine children,” the statement said.

According to neighbors, the house had guests, as the owners had held an event the day before. The fire was fully extinguished over an area of 360 square meters.
All emergency services are working on site. An investigation has begun, and the cause of the fire is being established.
Presidential adviser and spokesperson Ruslan Zheldibay reported that the government and the regional akim have been instructed to provide all necessary assistance to the close relatives of the victims and to investigate the causes of the tragedy.
The Turkestan regional akimat stated that, on the President’s instruction, a task force has been created under the leadership of the regional akim. The affected individuals are receiving necessary medical and psychological assistance. The cause of the fire is being determined.