At least 52 people were burned alive when a bus ignited in a fireball in Kazakhstan.
Horrific pictures and video show the inferno from which only five escaped alive.
The dead are believed to be Uzbek citizens, immigrant workers en route to Russia.
At least 52 people were burned alive when a bus ignited in a fireball in Kazakhstan
Unconfirmed reports indicated law enforcement sources suspect arson, according to Russian online news outlet Mash.
Fire engulfed the bus on the 1,370 mile highway linking Shymkent in southern Kazakhstan and Samara in Russia.
‘According to preliminary information, there were 57 people – all Uzbek citizens – on the bus and of them 52 passengers have died, while five managed to get out on their own,’ said Aktilek Kenes, press secretary of the Aktobe regional emergency situations department.
The dead are believed to be Uzbek citizens, immigrant workers en route to Russia
Only five people escaped the inferno which killed at least 52 people in Kazakhstan
The fire in the IKARUS-type bus was reported at around 10.30 am local time (04.30 GMT).
There were 55 passengers and two drivers on the bus. Both drivers were among the dead.
The five survivors suffered minor burns and ‘other traumas’.
Unconfirmed reports indicated law enforcement sources suspect arson in the incident
Fire engulfed the bus on the 1,370 mile highway linking Shymkent in southern Kazakhstan and Samara in Russia
The incident was six miles from Kalybao village, which is 200 miles from regional capital Aktobe
The incident was six miles from Kalybao village, which is 200 miles from regional capital Aktobe
Rescuers, policemen, doctors, psychologists are working ate the scene.
Two hotlines were set up for victims’ families.