Two Dead After Flour Dust Explosion at Plant in Almaty Region

On May 26, the Ministry of Emergency Situations officially commented on the flour dust explosion that occurred at the grain storage facility of JSC AsiaAgroFood in the Almaty region, Orda.kz reports.

According to Orda.kz sources, two people have died from injuries sustained in the incident — both passed away in the hospital. Two more remain in serious condition.

The explosion happened on May 23 at a flour production facility located in the village of Jibek Joly, Qarasay district. Three days later, the Ministry confirmed the cause of the emergency.

The fire occurred as a result of an explosion of a dust-air mixture of grain waste located on the first floor of the nine-story building of the second elevator,
the regional Department of Emergency Situations reported. 

The fire spread across 1,377 square meters. To determine the cause, investigators and fire testing experts from the Almaty region were dispatched to the scene.

To establish the cause of the incident, employees of the fire testing research laboratory and the investigation department of the Almaty region Department of Emergency Situations were sent to the scene,
the Ministry’s press service stated. 

More than 100 personnel and 31 units of firefighting equipment were involved in extinguishing the blaze.

One person was saved when extinguishing the stairwell. Four were hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Qarasay Clinical Multidisciplinary Central District Hospital,
the Ministry said. 

AsiaAgroFood’s management has pledged full financial support to those affected. The company has also confirmed that it is providing all necessary assistance to the victims and their families.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva