Tremors From Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Felt in Almaty
Earthquake tremors were recorded in Almaty on the afternoon of Aug. 12, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations said.
Residents also reported on social media that they had felt the tremors.
The ministry later said the tremors, measuring 2 points on the local intensity scale, were recorded at 12:14 p.m. Astana time.
No casualties or damage have been reported.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the epicenter of the magnitude 5.1 earthquake was located in Kyrgyzstan.
Earlier, a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on Aug. 10, killing more than 130 people and damaging hundreds of buildings.
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Power Surge Disrupts Communications Near Astana Airport
Mobile phone and internet services have been disrupted near Astana airport following a power surge, the airport’s press service said.
"All key airport systems are operating normally. Surveillance cameras and navigation equipment are functioning without interruption. Arriving and departing flights are operating on schedule," the press service said.
In August, an emergency shutdown of power lines operated by Kazakhstan’s national power grid operator, KEGOC, left residents in several districts of Almaty and the surrounding region without electricity. The blackout caused traffic congestion across Almaty.
Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry later explained the cause of the widespread power outages in Almaty, the Almaty region and other parts of the country.
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No Kazakh Citizens Among Dead or Injured in Egypt Bus Crash, Foreign Ministry Says
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No Kazakh citizens were among those killed or injured in a passenger bus crash in Egypt, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said.
According to media reports, the accident occurred Sept. 2 on the Dahab-Nuweiba highway in South Sinai province. The bus overturned in an area along the Red Sea coast popular with tourists.
Initial reports said 16 people had been killed and 28 injured. Egypt’s Health Ministry later said the death toll had risen to 21.
Following the crash, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry checked whether any Kazakh citizens had been traveling on the bus.
"There were no Kazakh citizens among the dead or injured," the ministry said.
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More Than 30 Kilograms of Drugs Seized at Almaty Airport
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Authorities at Almaty airport intercepted three attempts to smuggle large quantities of drugs into Kazakhstan in August, the National Security Committee’s press service said.
According to the committee, the drugs were found in the luggage of foreign nationals arriving on flights from Southeast Asian countries.
Marijuana, cannabis resin and hash oil were concealed in containers disguised as cosmetic products.
Forensic testing showed that the seized drugs weighed more than 32 kilograms in total.
Materials relating to the three cases were referred to the relevant authorities for further legal action.
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At Least 3,000 Missing as Deadly Floods Devastate Nepal-China Border
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At least 3,000 people have been reported missing after catastrophic flooding along the border between Nepal and China. More than 600 people have died in Nepal, while seven deaths have been reported in China, according to CNN.
Search and rescue operations are continuing, while forecasts of further rainfall in the affected areas over the weekend are raising concerns about additional flooding.
Nepal has appealed to other countries for specialised assistance. Authorities have also requested refrigerated storage facilities as the number of bodies recovered continues to rise. Unidentified remains are expected to be buried in a mass grave.
Homes have been destroyed across the affected areas, while families continue to search for information about missing relatives.
According to Chinese state media, no signs of survivors have been found at one border crossing that was overwhelmed by a powerful surge of water and mud.
Authorities had previously warned of the risk of further flooding and landslides. Rescue efforts have been hampered by damaged roads, mud and difficult-to-access mountainous terrain.
The devastating floods struck areas along the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on August 26.
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Bodies of two Kazakh women who died in UAE repatriated
The bodies of Kazakh citizens Akzhan Bokhanova and Zhuldyz Bokhanova, who died in the United Arab Emirates, have been repatriated, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said.
Kazakhstan’s Consulate General in Dubai arranged the repatriation on 28 August.
UAE law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the women’s deaths. Kazakh diplomats remain in contact with prosecutors and other relevant UAE authorities and are providing the necessary assistance to the family.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry again expressed its condolences to the relatives and loved ones of Akzhan and Zhuldyz Bokhanova.
The ministry had previously confirmed the deaths of the two Kazakh women, saying local authorities were working to establish the circumstances. Details have not been disclosed in the interests of the investigation.
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Third Kazakh tourist reported missing after Nepal-China border floods
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A third tourist from Kazakhstan has been reported missing after apparently being in the area affected by the natural disaster on the Nepal-China border, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said.
Kazakh diplomats are in contact with the authorities in both countries as the search for the missing Kazakh women continues.
The death toll from the flooding in Nepal has risen to 626, according to Reuters.
The devastating floods struck areas along the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on 26 August.
Nationals of more than 20 countries, including Kazakhstan, are among those reported missing.
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Kazakh Woman Missing After Nepal-China Border Floods
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A Kazakh citizen is being searched for following devastating floods along the Nepal-China border, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhanbolat Usenov said.
"According to preliminary information, a Kazakh citizen crossed the border from Nepal into China as part of a tourist group. The current whereabouts of our citizen remain unknown. Search operations for those missing are under way. Kazakh diplomats continue to work with local government authorities," Usenov said.
The devastating floods struck areas along the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, killing at least 160 people.
Reuters, citing Nepal’s tourism authorities, previously reported that citizens of more than 20 countries, including Kazakhstan, were among those listed as missing.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry had earlier said that no Kazakh citizens were among those injured or reported missing.
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At least 160 killed in floods along Nepal-China border
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At least 160 people have died in devastating floods that struck border areas of Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, Nepal News reported.
The bodies of 157 victims have been recovered in Nepal. Chinese authorities reported another three deaths on Chinese territory, with 265 people still missing.
Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said the whereabouts of 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, remained unknown following the disaster.
Those missing include tourists and pilgrims from several countries: 133 Indian citizens, 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 British nationals and 24 Canadians. Sixty-two Nepalese citizens are also unaccounted for.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the authorities were carrying out search-and-rescue operations and providing assistance to those affected.
"The government is taking full responsibility for rescue operations, medical care and the provision of shelter and food. In the face of such a disaster, we must all remain united," the prime minister said.
The cause of the flooding is under investigation. Authorities initially suggested that the disaster might have been triggered by an earthquake followed by a landslide. The US Geological Survey later said the seismic event initially believed to be an earthquake was linked to a glacier collapse.
The Bhotekoshi River burst its banks on the morning of 26 August. Floodwaters destroyed communities, roads and other infrastructure. The flooding also affected Syabrubesi, the starting point of the popular Langtang trekking route.
Military personnel and helicopters have been deployed for rescue operations. Nepalese authorities have also requested assistance from India and China.
The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to map the affected areas and support rescue efforts.
In China, the flooding affected the area around the Gyirong border crossing in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered the mobilisation of resources to search for missing people, evacuate residents and assist those affected.
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