The press office of the Emergency Directorate of Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, reported that a fire broke out in a building converted into a collective hostel in this city, killing 13 people.
The office statement said: “At 05:33 (02:33 Moscow time) on November 30, a fire was reported on Adi Sharipov Street in Almaty . Within 7 minutes, the first fire trucks arrived at the scene. When the firefighters arrived, The fire is burning in the basement of the three-storey residential building, where the first floor and basement have been converted into a hostel.”
According to the statement, the fire was extinguished at 06:22 local time. Initially, during the examination of the accident scene, 13 victims were found and their identities are being determined. Initial investigations indicate that they were poisoned by carbon monoxide gas. Two people were also transferred to the hospital as a result of the accident.
According to the latest data, there were 72 people in the hostel, and 59 were able to exit the building on their own. The investigation is still ongoing to determine the causes of the accident.
After his arrival in Qatar, the German President waits half an hour on the plane’s stairs
Footage of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was spread on social media as he waited at the door of the plane upon his arrival in Qatar, while information said that he waited for half an hour before getting off.
According to information, when the plane landed, the red carpet was waiting for the German President, and the Berlin ambassador was also waiting, after which a representative from Qatar joined him to receive the German guest.
While the reason behind Steinmeier's delay in getting off the plane was not announced, press reports indicated that Steinmeier's plane landed slightly earlier than the date specified in the visit's program.
During their meeting, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the German President discussed developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories.
According to Qatar News Agency, the two sides reviewed the most prominent current regional and international issues and developments, in addition to bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to strengthen and develop them in various areas of joint cooperation.
The Emir of Qatar stressed "the importance of reaching a permanent ceasefire, protecting civilians, delivering humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip, and finding solutions that guarantee the establishment of two states in accordance with international and UN resolutions."
Steinmeier concluded his Middle Eastern tour in Qatar, after also visiting Israel and Oman.