Astana residents alarmed by late-night explosion near old railway station

Reports of an explosion in Astana spread through media and online sources after residents of the Saryarka district near the old railway station heard a loud bang at 00:25 on February 14. 

The impact shattered windows in nearby buildings, raising concerns among locals, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, responded to the incident, clarifying:

"On February 14, 2025, at 00:30 on a marshalling track at Astana station, a loud noise occurred inside a cargo container. Preliminary assessments indicate the container was transporting electrical equipment, including transformers and generators. There were no casualties. The container belonged to a private company."

KTZ further stated that an investigation had been launched with the involvement of authorized bodies.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations also provided details:

"According to KTZ duty officers, the noise originated from a container on the 12th marshalling track. Rescue teams arrived promptly, and no fire occurred. There were no casualties, but one person sustained a minor hand injury from broken glass."

Medical personnel treated the injured individual on-site, with no need for hospitalization. Authorities continue to determine the exact cause of the incident.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Department of Police on Transport has officially classified the case as a criminal matter:

"A criminal case has been initiated under the article ‘Violation of the Rules of Safety of Movement or Operation of Railway Transport.’ Senior officials immediately arrived at the scene, and a special task force is working to establish all circumstances surrounding the event," said Malik Kaybar, Deputy Head of the Transport Police Department.

Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full details of the incident.

By Tamilla Hasanova