Forest fires devouring 60,000 hectares in northeastern Kazakhstan have claimed the lives of 14 people. The situation is under control and homes are not threatened by fire, despite the evacuation of 316 people.
This is the heaviest toll in recent years in this former Soviet republic five times the size of the France. According to local authorities, the fire was started by lightning on June 8.. Earlier in the day, President Tokayev dismissed Emergency Situations Minister Yuri Ilyin. The two countries are allies in the economic and military fields.