Explosion at Chinese-Owned Enterprise in Northern Kazakhstan Injures Nine

A powerful explosion rocked a Chinese-owned facility in the village of Ilyichevka, Taiynsha District, North Kazakhstan Region, injuring nine people, including emergency responders. Eight of the injured remain hospitalized, Orda.kz reports.

The blast occurred around 4:00 PM on June 25 at Taiynsha Mai LLP, a subsidiary of the Chinese agrologistics corporation Aiju. According to preliminary reports, two storage tanks first exploded, followed by a fire involving a gas tanker. Unofficial sources suggest a ruptured filling hose may have caused the explosion.

Local residents captured footage of the fire, showing towering flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky.

The police have transferred materials from the scene to the Taiynsha District Emergency Department for further investigation.

On June 25 at 16:17, the Taiynsha District Police Department received a report of a fire at one of the local enterprises. According to initial information, two storage tanks ignited and exploded, setting a Volvo gas tanker truck ablaze. As a result, nine people were injured, and eight have been hospitalized,the North Kazakhstan Region Police Department stated. 

Medical teams are currently treating the victims for various degrees of burns and trauma. Among those injured are residents of Kokshetau who had delivered gas to the site, as well as local rescue workers who responded to the emergency.

The regional health department later told our correspondent that two victims are currently in intensive care and remain in serious condition.

Two patients are in intensive care at the regional hospital in Kokshetau. Three others are receiving treatment at the Taiynsha Interdistrict Multidisciplinary Hospital. Three more sustained minor injuries and were discharged after receiving medical assistance. The situation is under control. There is no threat to the public or the surrounding area. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation by the appropriate authorities,officials said. 

The Ministry of Emergency Situations also commented:

According to preliminary information, a rupture in the filling hose occurred during the refueling of a gas tanker. This triggered a fire in the tanker and subsequently ignited the shut-off valves of an underground storage tank. The flames spread over approximately 50 square meters. A total of 80 personnel and 20 units of equipment from the emergency departments of North Kazakhstan and Aqmola regions, along with fire crews and non-governmental fire services in Taiynsha district, responded to the scene. The cause of the explosion is still being determined. A pre-trial investigation is underway,” the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported. 

According to public records, Taiynsha Mai LLP specializes in vegetable oil production and is part of Aiju’s broader logistics network.

The Chinese corporation’s main hub is the Xi’an dry port, from which freight trains transport oils, flour, and other goods from Kazakhstan to Central Asia and Europe.

This article has been updated to reflect new information as of 17:00 26/06/25.

Original Author: Kristina Yusicheva