Car plunges through thin ice in Kazakhstan's Pavlodar Region
A car broke through thin ice near the village of Shikyldak in Kazakhstan's Pavlodar Region on 23 March. Three fishermen inside were rescued without injury. Authorities have since warned the public to avoid unstable ice and follow safety rules strictly. The incident occurred while the group was fishing on the frozen water. Emergency responders from the Department of Emergency Situations (DES) quickly pulled all three men from the vehicle. They were later taken to the nearby village of Shiderty, where no medical treatment was needed.
The car owner now faces penalties under Article 412 of Kazakhstan's Code of Administrative Offenses for violating water safety regulations. Local officials confirmed that driving on ice remains banned due to its unstable condition. This marks the first recorded vehicle break-through on ice in the Pavlodar Region in five years. Despite the lack of recent accidents, rescuers continue to urge caution. Both residents and visitors are advised to stay off frozen waters entirely to prevent further risks.
The Pavlodar Region DES has repeated calls for strict adherence to safety measures. Ice remains dangerously thin, and vehicle access is prohibited. Officials stress that avoiding frozen surfaces is the only way to prevent similar incidents in the future.
