Kazakhstan's Emergency Situations Minister Dismissed, Reasons Revealed

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed Emergency Situations Minister Yuri Ilyin against the backdrop of a massive natural fire that occurred in the eastern part of the country. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing the press service of the state leader.

The fire in the forestry of Batpaev in the Abai region of the Republic started on Thursday after lightning strikes. Firefighters were unable to extinguish the blaze promptly due to the inaccessibility of the terrain for equipment.

As a result of the fire, three employees of the forestry service lost their lives, and search operations are ongoing for another eleven individuals. According to the latest reports, the preliminary area affected by the fire has exceeded 60,000 hectares.