SHYMKENT. June 27 (Interfax) - Mine clearance is ongoing in the town of Arys in the Turkistan region of southern Kazakhstan following a fire and explosions at military depots, the regional administration said in a statement on Thursday.
Forty-three teams of 408 sappers are continuing to clean up the aftermath. They are clearing the city, the rail station, the rail track, and the military camp of unexploded munitions.
"More than 5,700 live munitions have been spotted, marked, and prepared for transportation by special vehicles," the statement said.
In all, 1,488 men and 189 pieces of hardware are at work.
Engineering vehicles have cleaned all streets, 16 areas of the town, and 11 kilometers of the railroad line.
A fire broke out and munitions detonated on the premises of a military unit stationed in Arys on the morning of June 24. The regional authorities declared a state of emergency and evacuated the town, which has a population nearing 45,000. According to the latest updates, more than 160 people were hurt and three died.