Accident at heating plant in Bishkek injures 5

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Five people were injured after a major accident at a thermal power plant in Kazakhstan's capital Bishkek, officials said.

The Emergency Ministry in a statement said the incident occurred due to an equipment malfunction, and one of the boilers exploded, but the possibility of sabotage is also being considered.

The explosion caused a fire, which was quickly extinguished, the ministry added.

Separately, the government's press office said Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov canceled his visit to Kazakhstan because of the incident, where he was scheduled to take part in a meeting of the heads of states of the Eurasian Economic Council.

An emergency task force was established to handle the consequences of the accident.