Tengrinews.kz – The skiers responsible for triggering an avalanche at the Shymbulak ski resort have been identified, the resort's press service confirmed.
"The violators have been identified," stated the Shymbulak Mountain Resort administration.
According to officials, three skiers ignored safety warnings, crossed protective barriers, and ventured into a hazardous area, causing a mass of snow to slide.
Resort authorities, along with the Shymbulak Snow and Avalanche Station, reported that the triggered avalanche had a total volume of 95 cubic meters.
Shymbulak management provided a timeline of the incident:
09:17 – After testing snow conditions, the Combi 2 cable car was opened. Off-piste areas were marked with safety fences and warning signs, including "Avalanche risk", "Closed", and "No entry".
09:58 – The avalanche occurred on Shkolnik Mountain (near Combi 2).
10:02 – Rescue teams immediately inspected the area. No injuries or casualties were reported.
The avalanche risk had been heightened by heavy snowfall on March 7 and 9. Avalanche control teams had carried out preventive detonations, releasing approximately 7,000 cubic meters of snow in critical zones such as Konus, Shkolnik, and Sukhoy Log.
The Almaty Emergency Department, citing storm warnings from Kazhydromet, has advised that the risk of avalanches in the Almaty mountains remains high until March 11.
Also, another avalanche was reported today at the Ak-Bulak Sports Complex.