Blizzard in Astana hurts 39, sends 2 to hospital
ASTANA. Jan 12 (Interfax) - A blizzard that hit Kazakhstan's capital Astana on Thursday hurt 39 people, and two of them had to be hospitalized, the head of the city's healthcare department, Kamalzhan Nadyrov, said at a press briefing on Friday.
The department said earlier on Friday that 18 people had been hurt in the blizzard.
"Thirty-nine patients requested medical attendance in the past 24 hours; they sustained various traumas in the natural calamity. Two patients were hospitalized, and the rest received assistance at a hospital's emergency room and recommendations to undergo further treatment at local outpatient clinics," Nadyrov said.
The blizzard hit Astana on Thursday. The city administration advised heads of government agencies, educational institutions, shops, construction sites, and other facilities to suspend their activity. Only public utility services kept operating.
Classes were canceled for students of general-education schools, freshmen, and sophomores. Astana Airport was closed and outbound road traffic suspended.
The emergency situation was called off on Friday.