Deadly blast at Kazakhstan plant linked to safety violations

An explosion at a metallurgical plant operated by KazZinc in eastern Kazakhstan was likely caused by violations of the technological process, according to preliminary findings, the country’s emergency situations minister said.

The blast occurred on May 5 at the facility in Ust-Kamenogorsk and triggered a fire as well as a partial structural collapse.

“The explosion at the KazZinc plant, preliminarily, occurred due to violations of the technological process,” Chingis Arinov, Kazakhstan’s Minister for Emergency Situations, said during a government meeting.

Arinov added that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities commissioning specialised examinations and technical studies involving профильных experts. He noted that prior inspections had already выявили breaches of industrial safety requirements at the plant.

According to the Ministry for Emergency Situations, the explosion originated in a dust-collection unit at the facility. The incident led to a subsequent fire and the partial collapse of structures within the plant.

A total of nine people were injured in the explosion. Three of those in critical condition later died, the minister said.

By Tamilla Hasanova