On June 28 at approximately 05:35 AM, a ceiling collapsed in the public catering point of Ertas LLP, located on the territory of the old Astana station. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Video from the scene appeared on social media. According to eyewitnesses, there were about eight to nine people in the room at the time of the collapse. Most visitors managed to run out. One woman sustained a bruise and a minor injury.
The press service of NC KTZ JSC reported that the incident occurred at the public catering point of Etas LLP on the station grounds. "Two visitors of the public catering point contacted the medical station of Astana station. They were given first aid. The visitors refused to call an ambulance. The duty assistant station master drew up a corresponding act regarding the incident," the company said.
KTZ emphasized that the canteen premises are located in the part of the old station building that has been privately owned by Ertas LLP since 2002. The area of the facility transferred to private ownership is 2,371 square meters. The company noted that this facility is not used in KTZ's technological process, so the national carrier has no right to manage it and is not responsible for its maintenance.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that stations across Kazakhstan are being massively opened after renovations. This weekend, updated facilities began operating in the Abay, East Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan, and Kyzylorda regions. Earlier, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev promised that 30 modernized stations would be launched in Kazakhstan by July 1.
Meanwhile, KTZ previously filed an application to increase tariffs, citing multi-billion expenses, including station renovations. At the same time, the company promised that three stations — Astana-1, Almaty-2, and Turkestan — would be renovated taking into account their historical value.