Rescuers detail recovery of bus driver's body from Pavlodar sinkhole

Tengrinews.kz - In the Pavlodar region, rescuers have detailed their efforts to retrieve the body of a bus driver who fell into an old mine sinkhole.

The recovery operation required dismantling the bus to retrieve the body of the last of the four victims. The incident, which occurred in January, involved a bus carrying passengers that plummeted into the mine.

"On July 24, specialists located the edge of the bus and began excavating it. By the morning of July 25, they continued their efforts but found it challenging due to the bus being flattened and covered in earth. The driver was trapped inside. It took nearly two days to dismantle the bus. Upon doing so, they first discovered the leg of the deceased and subsequently the entire body. The earth inside the bus preserved the body," explained Kairolla Zhursunbayev, General Director of Maikainzoloto JSC.

Zhursunbayev further reported that the body of the 55-year-old bus driver, Ayyp Tleubergenov, was found on July 25 at 16:06 and was brought to the surface almost an hour later.

"The body of the third mountain rescuer was found at a depth of 12 meters, while the bus was another 6-7 meters deeper. The other victims were likely ejected when the bus descended the slope," Zhursunbayev added.

The body, which had been underground for six months, has been handed over to an investigative team for examination.

Officials highlighted that the search operation was conducted around the clock and involved significant risks. The operation utilized specialists, equipment, and drones, with over 200 people and all regional emergency services contributing to the effort.