Gas blast at Kazakh oilseed plant injures nine, hospitalises eight

A powerful gas explosion at the Tayynsha-May oilseed processing plant in the village of Ilyichevka, North Kazakhstan Region, has left nine people injured, with eight hospitalised on June 25.

Authorities say the blast was caused by a ruptured refueling hose, which led to the explosion of storage tanks and a Volvo gas tanker catching fire. Eyewitness footage showed thick black smoke and flames consuming the facility, with an elevator and nearby warehouses visible in the background, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media.

The North Kazakhstan Regional Police Department confirmed the explosion, stating, “preliminary data indicates that two of the company’s storage tanks ignited and exploded, followed by a fire that engulfed a Volvo gas tanker.”

The regional health department reported that victims suffered burns and various injuries. Some were admitted to the multipurpose inter-district hospital in the Tayynsha District, while others — residents of the neighbouring Akmola Region — were transported to hospitals there. These individuals had reportedly delivered fuel to the facility.

Tayynsha-May LLP, which has been operating since 2016, specialises in processing flax, sunflower seeds, and rapeseed. The plant processes up to 1,000 tons of oilseeds daily and employs over 70 people. Investment in the facility has surpassed 9 billion tenge, and it features automated processes and European-made equipment.

By Sabina Mammadli