2023 Kazakhstan wildfires explained
2023 Kazakhstan wildfires |
Location: | Northeastern Kazakhstan |
Date: | June 2023 |
Cause: | Lightning, arson |
Buildings: | 3 |
Fatalities: | 15 |
Area: | 60,000 hectares |
In June 2023, large forest fires broke out in the northeastern regions of Kazakhstan experienced its greatest annual death toll. While putting out the fires, at least 15 people died.[1] [2] [3]
Background
According to local officials, lightning ignited the fires. A total of 60,000 hectares of land were lost. Residents of several villages were evacuated[4] [5]
Response
On 10 June 2023, more than 1,000 emergency personnel battled an out-of-control fire. Yuri Ilyin, the Minister of Emergency Situations, was fired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev earlier that day. The condolences of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and other leaders have been extended to Tokayev.[6] [7]
Aftermath
The day of national mourning, 12 June, was established by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in memory of the forest workers who perished while battling wildfires in Kazakhstan's eastern Abai Region.[8] The investigation is yet to be concluded; former Minister of Emergency Situations Yuri Ilyin, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Zülfia Süleimenova, Äkim of Abai Region Nūrlan Ūranhaev and former Äkim of East Kazakhstan Region Daniyal Ahmetov are to be questioned regarding the wildfire[9]
Notes and References
- https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-mass-wildfire-deaths-provoke-anger-at-corruption
- Web site: Kazakhstan forest fires kill 14 with 60,000 hectares of land destroyed and government minister sacked . . 2023-06-12 . 2023-06-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611041737/http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/kazakhstan-forest-fires-kill-14-with-60000-hectares-of-land-destroyed-and-government-minister-sacked/ar-AA1cnEQn . live .
- Web site: tengrinews.kz . 2023-06-13 . Абай облысында жоғалып кеткен орман шаруашылығы қызметкері өлі табылды . 2023-06-16 . Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz . kk.
- News: Kazakhstan forest fires kill 14 with 60,000 hectares of land destroyed . ABC News . 10 June 2023 . 2023-06-12 . 2023-06-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611234756/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-11/kazakhstan-forest-fires-kill-14-minister-sacked-putin-message/102466678 . live .
- Web site: tengrinews.kz . 2023-06-12 . Абай облысындағы ауыл тұрғындары эвакуация туралы айтты . 2023-06-16 . Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz . kk.
- Web site: Fourteen people killed in Kazakhstan forest fires . 2023-06-12 . 2023-06-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230612152913/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/10/fourteen-people-killed-in-kazakhstan-forest-fires . live .
- Web site: 2023-06-12 . Әлиев, Рахмон, Жапаров: бірқатар мемлекет басшылары Тоқаевқа көңіл айту жеделхатын жолдады . 2023-06-16 . kaz.nur.kz . kk.
- Web site: President of Kazakhstan Declares June 12 as National Day of Mourning for Forest Fires Victims in Abai Region . 12 June 2023 .
- Web site: tengrinews.kz . 2023-06-14 . Абай облысындағы өртке байланысты Ильин, Сүлейменова және Ахметовтен жауап алынады - Бас прокуратура . 2023-06-16 . Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz . kk.