Day of National Mourning declared in Kazakhstan after forest fire claims 14 lives

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has told relatives of 14 forestry workers who perished in a fire in the Semey Ormany Nature Reserve that he shared in their grief at a great tragedy for the entire nation. He declared Monday 12 June a Day of National Mourning. A book of condolence will be open for signing at the Kazakh Embassy in Brussels, between 11:00 and 13:00 and between 15:00 and 18:00 at Avenue Van Bever 30, 1180 Brussels.

The Emergency Situations Ministry confirmed the fourteen deaths in the Abai region of northeastern Kazakhstan, where 316 people have been evacuated. The fires consumed an area of 60,000 hectares and more than a thousand people were involved in bringing the burning forest under control. It’s thought the fires were started by lightning and spread quickly, by as much as 10 metres a second, due to strong winds and high temperatures.

President Tokayev cancelled a planned visit to Vietnam and instead travelled to the affected region, where he met the families of the 14 forestry workers who died. “I specially came here to offer my condolences to you”, he said. “This is a great tragedy for the entire nation. Be strong in this hard moment. I share your grief of loss. I have tasked the Government to provide you with all possible support, be it financial or any other assistance”, he added.

“This Monday will be declared the Day of National Mourning. We will together mourn and remember the names of the victims. I am asking you to be strong and keep calm. Appropriate measures will be taken in all areas, be it law enforcement agencies or ministries”.

He assigned the Government to use all available technical and human resources to counter the fires in the Abai region, to prevent the spread of the disaster and to ensure the safety of local people and their property.

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