A large-scale electricity blackout is affecting the capitals of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan's economic center, Almaty. The AFP correspondents report this on the spot.
A spokesperson for the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Energy said the electricity went out "due to an accident in the regional energy grid".
The blackout also extended to the provinces of all three countries.
The Uzbekistan Ministry of Energy said on its official Telegram channel that the power outage was triggered by an accident in Kazakhstan's electricity grid, but without providing further details.
"Following a serious incident on the Republic of Kazakhstan's grid, a power outage occurred in the cities of Almaty, Shymkent, Taras, Turkestan (regions) and adjacent areas," the statement read.
"The Uzbek power grid, which is connected to the unified power grid, was damaged following an accident that led to sudden changes in voltage and frequency on 530 lines from Kazakhstan," he added.
According to media reports, Manas International Airport in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) had to resort to an emergency power source. "The airport is operational, but not at full capacity", reads a statement quoted by local media.
(Unioneonline / vl)
