Bus with 50 passengers skids off road in Kazakhstan amid storm warning

A passenger bus carrying around 50 people slid off the road near the town of Shakhtinsk in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda Region amid severe winter weather.

The incident occurred while the bus was exiting Shakhtinsk. Due to blizzard conditions and icy roads, the scheduled route bus lost control and veered into a roadside ditch. According to the press service of the Karaganda Regional Police Department, there were no fatalities or injuries, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

The incident comes as Kazakhstan declared a nationwide storm warning for January 12. According to Kazhydromet, storm alerts have been issued for all regions and cities of republican significance, with forecasters warning of blizzards, heavy snowfall, icy conditions and strong winds across the country.

In the Karaganda Region, where the accident occurred, rain and snow, blizzard conditions, black ice and fog are forecast, with wind gusts reaching up to 20 metres per second and, in some areas, up to 23 metres per second. Similar hazardous weather is expected in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and multiple other regions, including East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Pavlodar and Turkestan regions.

Police and emergency services have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution in the difficult weather conditions.

“Blizzards, strong gusts of wind and icy roads require maximum attention and responsibility from drivers. Observe speed limits, maintain safe distances, avoid sudden manoeuvres and, if possible, postpone long-distance trips,” the Karaganda Regional Police Department said in a statement.

By Vugar Khalilov