Kazakhstan introduces new rule for tourists after mountain tragedies

Tengrinews.kz – Tourists in Kazakhstan will now be required to notify authorities in advance about their trips to the mountains. The new rule was approved by the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES).

According to the MES, before heading into mountains, caves or other potentially dangerous areas, tourists must inform the relevant regional department (such as the Emergency Department in Astana or Almaty).

Notifications can be submitted via:

• the eQonaq system and mobile app,
• email to the territorial authority,
• the emergency hotline 112.

The notification must include the tourist’s full name, contact details and destination. For group trips, one participant must also provide the number of people, their details, the route (starting and ending points, length) and approximate overnight locations. All notifications will be officially registered by the MES.

Authorities note that an increasing number of young people in Almaty venture into the mountains for photos and experiences, often underestimating the risks of difficult terrain and unpredictable weather.

“The most important thing is to match your abilities with your ambitions. Tragedies in the mountains often occur because of insufficient preparation for the chosen route,” said Damir Yermagambetov, acting head of the Emergency Department.

Officials in Almaty also reminded that for multi-day hikes, tourists should always notify emergency services, bring a professional guide, avoid trying to cover too many points in one day, stay within visible range of chosen routes, and prepare with fully charged phones, power banks, water and food supplies.

To improve safety, 18 mountain shelters with first aid kits, charging stations, blankets and food have been installed since 2021, alongside four rescue checkpoints in the Bolshoye and Maloye Almatinskoye gorges, Medeu and Butakovka gorge.

From the beginning of 2025 until August 20, rescue teams conducted 291 operations, saving 396 people, including 77 children. Ten people have died in the mountains this year.