An ordinary shift at a café in the city of Shchuchinsk, Akmola Region, turned into a real nightmare. A dull thud instantly claimed seven lives, and dozens more people suffered burns and other injuries. People fled the building barefoot and in panic, with some losing consciousness right on the street. Doctors are now fighting for the victims' health in intensive care units, rescuers are sifting through the debris, and investigators are searching for the causes of the tragedy.

An investigation is ongoing in the Akmola Region regarding the explosion of an air-gas mixture followed by a fire at the "Plov Center" café in Shchuchinsk. The tragedy, which occurred on the night of February 27, resulted in the deaths of seven people and injuries to 28 others. The incident has raised several fundamental questions, ranging from compliance with industrial and fire safety requirements to the oversight of gas equipment operation in public catering establishments. The investigation is being conducted with the necessary forensic examinations. An interagency commission, led by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations, has been created to coordinate the actions of government bodies.

According to official information from the Akmola Region Emergency Situations Department, the explosion and subsequent fire occurred in the single-story café premises, which was attached to a five-story residential building. Operational units arrived at the scene within five minutes of receiving the report.

– Firefighters removed eight gas cylinders from the burning building and rescued more than ten people. According to preliminary data, about 20 people were injured, and 6 people died as a result of the incident, – the Akmola Region Emergency Situations Department reported.

Later, the death toll rose to seven. The regional akimat clarified that, according to preliminary data, a 16-year-old girl was in the café with her mother, who is an employee of the establishment.

Thus, the deceased include six café workers and the minor girl who was with her mother. It is reported that the mother survived.

According to the regional Emergency Situations Department, the actions of the firefighters prevented further destruction and potential new casualties.

– Through the swift actions of the firefighters, five gas cylinders, each with a volume of 50 liters, and two oxygen cylinders were removed from the burning café, thereby preventing further explosions inside the premises, – the department stated.

From the first hours after the tragedy, an enhanced medical response mode was introduced in the region. Of the 28 injured, 13 were hospitalized, and some were sent for outpatient treatment after receiving assistance. Five patients in serious condition were evacuated by air ambulance to the capital.

As reported by the Deputy Akim of the Akmola Region, Altynai Amrenova, medical personnel from the regional center were called in to provide emergency medical care, and an additional three teams of anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists arrived.

– Necessary medications are available. All necessary assistance is being provided in full to stabilize the patients, – said Altynai Amrenova.

According to the Akmola Regional Hospital, eight patients are in intensive care units in serious and extremely serious condition. On February 28, a telemedicine consultation was held with specialists from the National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine.

According to the head of the regional health department, Nariman Yermek, based on its results, a decision was made on the need for hemodiafiltration.

– The necessary medical equipment was promptly delivered, and specialized specialists were brought in to perform the procedure, – the official statement from the medical institution said.

Specialists explained the clinical significance of the method being used.

– Its use allows for the effective removal of low-molecular-weight, medium-molecular-weight, and partially high-molecular-weight toxic substances, which is of fundamental importance in the serious condition of patients. Additionally, doctors who arrived by air ambulance from the Akmola Regional Hospital examined the serious patients in the intensive care unit. The consultation included an otolaryngologist, a thoracic surgeon, an efferentologist, and the head of the department for control and organization of medical care of the Akmola Region Health Department. Based on the examination results, the further management strategy for the patients was determined, and the therapy being administered is being adjusted considering their condition, – the hospital clarified.

The patients' conditions remain under constant dynamic monitoring.

Against the backdrop of official reports, the terrifying picture of what happened is supplemented by eyewitness accounts.

A man who was nearby at the time of the tragedy spoke about the force of the explosion.

– I was walking nearby. I heard the explosion, and it threw me back. If I had walked on the other side, I don't know how it would have ended. Everything happened instantly, – the resident said.

According to him, one of the deceased girls had come to work from a village and was on her shift.

– It was her shift. They worked two-day shifts and commuted from the village because there's no work there. It was hard for them, but they tried. It's such a pity this happened, – the man noted.

Another eyewitness, who was nearby, spoke of the panic and horror that gripped people after the explosion.

– People ran out, all with burns. I saw a woman being pulled out – she was badly burned, all over. People were covered in blood, burned. Some came out without hair. They left their jackets, ran out barefoot. It was very scary, – he recounted.

Meanwhile, the Akmola Region akimat stated its readiness to provide all necessary support to the injured and the families of the deceased.

A one-time payment of two million tenge is provided for the families of the deceased. The organization of funerals and other related issues are under the control of local executive bodies.

Conclusions about who will bear responsibility for the lives lost will be made later, after experts have studied all the details. For now, the city and services are focusing on helping the injured and dealing with the aftermath.

Linara SAKTAGANOVA

Astana