7 people killed, 28 injured in cafe explosion in northern Kazakhstan

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Seven people were killed and 28 injured in an explosion at a cafe in a city in northern Kazakhstan, local emergency officials said.

According to authorities, a gas explosion occurred late Thursday in a cafe attached to a five-story residential building in the city of Shchuchinsk, triggering a fire.

Of the 28 people injured, 13 were hospitalized, while eight people were released after medical treatment. Seven people died in the incident.

Firefighters removed five 50-liter gas cylinders and two oxygen cylinders from the burning building, preventing further explosions, the regional Emergency Situations Department said in a statement.

An investigation has been launched on suspicion of violating fire safety requirements resulting in death through negligence, authorities said.