13 People Die In Almaty During Fire At Hostel

Most of them were poisoned by carbon monoxide.

Thirteen people died in the former capital of Kazakhstan Almaty during a fire in the premises of the hostel, equipped in the basement and on the ground floor of a three-storey residential building. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, November 30, the city's Department of Emergency Situations said.

According to the Orda.kz internet portal, the victims included nine Kazakh citizens, two Russians and two Uzbek citizens. A total of 72 people were in the hostel at the time of the fire. Rescuers assume that the victims were poisoned by carbon monoxide. However, 59 people left the premises of the hostel themselves.

The fire was reported at 05.33 local time (02.33 Minsk time). The fire of about 30 square metres was extinguished within an hour, with 46 people and 13 vehicles involved. The causes of the fire are being established.