Italy smashes Afghan people-trafficking ring
A gang which trafficked mainly Afghan migrants into Europe has been broken, European police force Europol has said, BBC reports.
Almaty. January 13. Kazakhstan Today - A gang which trafficked mainly Afghan migrants into Europe has been broken, European police force Europol has said, BBC reports.
It said 26 alleged gang members had been arrested in Italy with further arrests in Germany and France.
It said the gang was responsible for smuggling about 200 illegal migrants into Europe every month, a fifth of them children.
The migrants are thought to have paid up to 5,000 euros (?4,000) to be smuggled across Europe.
The arrests on Tuesday were the result of a two-year Europol investigation, which included house searches during which some of the smuggled children were found.
Most of the migrants began their journey in Afghanistan before travelling through Pakistan, Iran and Turkey to Greece, from where they were moved on into western Europe.
Europol said those behind the gang used false EU identity documents and transferred funds through the popular Hawala network.
Piero Saviotti, a prosecutor in Rome, said some of those arrested were "suspected of involvement in international terrorism", AFP news agency reports.
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Criminal investigation launched after Shchuchinsk cafe explosion
Images | polisia.kz
A criminal case has been opened in Akmola region after a gas cylinder explosion in a cafe in Shchuchinsk, Akmola region, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the latest data from the regional emergencies department, 28 people were affected. Of them: seven died, 13 were hospitalized, and eight were discharged home after receiving medical care.
The department added that firefighters had removed five gas cylinders and two oxygen cylinders from the burning cafe.
This prevented repeated explosions inside the premises. The causes and circumstances of the incident are being identified," officials said.
A hotline was launched at the Regional Emergencies Department: 8 (7162) 51-42-98.
A criminal case has been opened in connection with the fire. The necessary investigative actions are being carried out," the department stated.
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7 dead, 19 injured in Shchuchinsk cafe explosion
Images | gov.kz
Seven people have died as a result of a gas-air mixture explosion, which was followed by a fire, in a cafe, attached to a five-story residential building in Shchuchinsk, Burabay district, Akmola region, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to operational data, a total of 26 people were affected:
- seven fatalities, including a 16-year-old girl;
- 13 people remain in Burabay District Hospital;
- six were discharged for outpatient observation.
The moment of the explosion was captured on a video camera opposite the café. Additional medical teams have been dispatched, and all necessary resources have been deployed, including specialists, medicines, and air ambulance services. A regional emergency headquarters is working at the site.
The causes of the incident are being investigated. Authorities have pledged full assistance to the families of the deceased and injured. Officials also stressed the importance of relying on information from official sources. The explosion occurred overnight between February 26 and 27. Initial reports indicated six fatalities; the updated figures now confirm seven.
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Fighter jet crashes, pilots eject safely in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region
Images | screenshot
A Su-30Sm fighter jet crashed in Karaganda region during a routine training flight on Wednesday, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Kazakh Defense Ministry.
The pilots onboard ejected safely, without suffering life-threatening injuries, the ministry said in a statement. They are under medical observation, it added.
The crash area has been cordoned off. Officials confirmed there is no threat to the population or infrastructure.
The Defense Ministry set up a special commission led by the head of the flight safety department to establish the causes and circumstances of the incident. It includes flight service specialists.
Based on the investigation results, a legal assessment will be given, and a procedural ruling will be issued, the ministry said.
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Quake hits 311 km southeast of Almaty city
Images | depositphotos.com
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck 311 km southeast of the Kazakh city of Almaty, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The network of seismic stations of Kazakhstan’s National Scientific Center for Seismological Observations and Research registered an earthquake at 2:09 p.m. local time on February 19, centered on the Kyrgyz-China boarder, sending tremors across nine settlements in Kazakhstan.
The epicenter was monitored at 42.176 degrees north latitude and 80.438 degrees east longitude", said a report issued by the Center.
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Earthquake recorded near Almaty
No reports of casualties or damage have been received, Qazinform News Agency has learned from the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Response.
The seismic station network of the National Scientific Center for Seismological Observations and Research recorded the earthquake at 3:11 PM Astana time (UTC+5) on Tuesday. The epicenter of the earthquake is located in Kazakhstan, 74 km east of Almaty.
Specialists are currently processing the data obtained.
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Road accident in Zhambyl region leaves one dead, one injured
A road accident involving a passenger bus and a car has left one person dead and another injured in Zhambyl region, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to preliminary data, the incident occurred on the Asa-Akkol highway, when a driver of Van Hool bus lost control of the vehicle and collided with oncoming Volkswagen Golf car.
A criminal investigation has been launched.
Police have urged residents of the region, in view of worsening weather conditions, to avoid long-distance travel if possible, observe the established speed limits, maintain a safe distance, and closely follow official information.
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Earthquake jolts Kazakhstan
Images | Depositphotos
Underground tremors were registered on February 5 at 01:42 p.m. Astana time in Zhetysu region, Qazinform News Agency learned from the National Data Center of Kazakhstan.
The epicenter was located approximately 284 kilometers northeast of Almaty.
Estimated intensity in various parts of Zhetysu region ranged from 2 to 3 points.
Authorities reported no information about casualties or damage.
Residents of Almaty did not feel the tremors, and no public alerts were issued.
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Fire at Tengiz: Over 450 workers evacuated
Images | gov.kz
Over 450 workers were evacuated after a fire broke out at the Third Generation Plant (3GP) in the Zhylyoi district on Sunday morning. No injuries have been reported, Qazinform News Agency reports.
As Tengizchevroil (TCO) confirmed, two ignitions involving electric generators occurred. The fire was promptly extinguished, and no injuries were reported. TCO's operations are continuing in standard mode.
The safety of employees remains TCO's top priority. The company is conducting a root-cause assessment of the incident in accordance with the established procedures. Beyond this, TCO does not comment on specific details of its operational activities," the company stated.
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