In the Akmola region, the extinguishing of a large steppe fire near Stepnogorsk, which came close to the village of Bestobe and threatened the village of Izobilnoye, turned into a high-profile public dispute. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The popular regional public page nayza_kokshe published a harsh accusation against local authorities, claiming that about two hundred rescuers and military personnel had been fighting the elements for the second day with virtually no food.
According to the authors of the publication on social networks Threads and Instagram, coordination and provision of firefighting participants by local executive bodies had failed. Rescuers who entered the thick of it allegedly had to work on an empty stomach.
"Two hundred hungry rescuers. Shame on the Akim of Stepnogorsk! They have been putting out the fire in the Stepnogorsk steppes for the third day. They selflessly defended large hotbeds (...) And for all this — gratitude: two sausages and a piece of bread! And that's only for part of the firefighters. The rest got nothing at all," the authors of the nayza_kokshe page claim.
The publications also noted that there are no stores at the emergency site, and officials "forgot about food" and arrived at the hotbeds with a huge delay, offering the tired men only a modest ration.
The Department of Emergency Situations of the Akmola region categorically denied the statements about a starving personnel, emphasizing that all participants in the emergency response were fully supplied with provisions.
"When leaving to eliminate emergency situations, personnel, volunteers, representatives of city enterprises, local executive bodies and other concerned residents in the amount of more than 200 people were provided with the necessary supply of dry rations and drinking water. In addition, the akimat of Stepnogorsk organized regular delivery of hot meals and drinking water," the department stated.
The Department added that no complaints from the firefighters themselves about the quality or lack of food were recorded, and the authors of the publications were reminded of administrative and criminal liability for spreading fakes online.
Local executive bodies provided a detailed hourly report on how and when people were fed on the front line. According to the authorities, hot food was delivered strictly on schedule:
"In addition, in the evening, with the help of the village of Bestobe, additional meals with hot pies, sausages and drinks were organized for firefighters and rescuers," the press service of the Stepnogorsk akimat summarized.
Officials assured that support was provided in full, which allowed the Ministry of Emergency Situations forces to successfully eliminate the threat to populated areas.