Kazakh Emergency Ministry Did Not Inspect Cafe Before Deadly Explosion

A cafe in Shchuchinsk, where a gas cylinder explosion killed 11 people, had not been inspected by the national emergency services prior to the tragedy. This was confirmed by Vice Minister of Emergency Situations Kegen Tursynbayev.

He explained that establishments using gas cylinders with a capacity of up to 50 liters fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities, not the central Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES). "There is a gas technical inspection there that controls this issue and carries out the relevant work," Tursynbayev stated during a briefing in the Senate.

The official clarified that the "Plov Center" cafe, with an area of less than 300 square meters, was classified as a medium-risk facility. "Therefore, such objects are inspected based on complaints from visitors or prosecutorial supervision. That is why this object was not inspected through our line," he said.

Following the disaster, a working group has been established on the instruction of the Prime Minister. When asked if the MES would now conduct inspections in other similar establishments, Tursynbayev gave an affirmative answer. "Everything will be checked," he assured.

The tragic incident occurred late on February 26 at the "Plov Center" cafe. According to the latest information, 28 people were injured in total; 13 were hospitalized and eight were treated and released. The death toll recently rose to 11 after two more victims succumbed to their injuries in early March.

Firefighters reportedly removed five 50-liter gas cylinders and two oxygen cylinders from the burning building, preventing further explosions. A criminal case has been initiated into the explosion.

On March 4, it was reported that the owner of the cafe had been arrested for two months as part of the investigation.

An eyewitness described a sudden and powerful explosion that shook windows and engulfed the building in flames. People ran out with severe burns, some without hair or shoes. "It all happened very fast. In a second," the witness recounted, noting he lost a friend who was a visitor at the cafe that night.