14 killed in wildfires in Kazakhstan

Fourteen people have died in major forest fires in the Abai Region of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said on June 10, the country's highest such toll in years.

"In total, 14 bodies have been found," said the ministry in a statement, having previously announced a search for trapped forest rangers was ongoing as fires consumed 60,000 hectares of land.

More than 1,000 people have participated in firefighting, search and rescue work, and around 700 residents have been evacuated and shelters have been set up.

Despite the high temperatures, large burning areas and wind gusts, the situation has been brought under control, said Nurbolat Derbisov, chairman of the Fire Service Committee at the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations.

It is reported that the fire was caused by two lightning strikes.

(Xinhua)