ASTAN, KAZAKHSTAN — Four employees of AsiaAgroFood JSC have died as the result of injuries suffered in a dust explosion and fire at a flour production facility in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, Kazinform New Agency reported May 27.

The May 23 fire at the facility in Zhibek Zholy, Karasai district followed an explosion involving a dust-air mixture of grain waste on the ground floor of the nine-story building of the second elevator, according to the regional department of emergencies. The fire spread across 1,377 square meters, and over 100 firefighters and 31 units of specialized vehicles were required to extinguish the flames.

One person was rescued in a stairwell, according to emergency authorities, while four others were rushed to a local hospital for intensive care treatment of severe burns.

AsiaAgroFood issued an official statement: “With a deep pain and sorrow, we inform that our colleagues have died as a result of a tragic incident, which occurred May 23 on the territory of a fodder plant. This tragedy became a heavy blow to our entire company. We have lost not just employees, we have lost the people whose work, dedication and human qualities have left a significant mark on the life of the team.”

AsiaAgroFood confirmed that it will provide full financial support to those affected and all necessary assistance to victims and their families.

AsiaAgroFood, a subsidiary of Kaz Food Processors (KFP), is involved in the deep processing of wheat and corn and production of animal feed. The enterprise includes a starch plant, a flour and feed mill, and an elevator with a capacity of 15,200 tonnes of grain.