Kyrgyz PM orders measures to deal with Bishkek combined heat and power plant accident

BISHKEK. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov has issued a number of instructions to the country's ministries in charge of dealing with the aftermath of the emergency at Bishkek's combined heat and power plant, the Kyrgyz government's press service said on Friday following the emergency response headquarters' meeting.

The Energy Ministry and the Bishkek authorities were ordered to head up the emergency response headquarters and were given until 5:00 p.m. to present all information on the cause of the accident and an action plan to ensure the full-fledged operations of the capital's combined heat and power plant.

The Emergency Situations Ministry and the Gosstroy state construction agency were ordered to start rebuilding the plant's damaged facilities.

The Health Ministry will focus on providing necessary medical care to the plant's personnel injured in the accident.

The Finance Ministry was instructed to promptly allocate all necessary funds for the restoration efforts.

The priority now is to restore heat supply to the apartments and to prevent similar situations in the future, the prime minister said.

As reported, an accident occurred at the Bishkek combined heat and power plant, where one of its boilers is believed to have exploded.

According to the Health Ministry, five people were injured in the accident.