Firefighter’s Chinese language skills aid response to bus stop fire

During a fire at a bus stop in Astana, a firefighter-rescuer Beibit Kyran was able to quickly communicate with foreign nationals and help ensure safety / Photo: Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan

Knowledge of Chinese helped firefighters in Astana quickly assess the situation while extinguishing a fire at a bus stop, according to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan.

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The incident occurred at a public transport stop in the Saraishyk district on Nurmagambetov Street. Officials said the absence of a language barrier played a crucial role in the response, allowing rescuers to communicate rapidly with foreign nationals and obtain key information about conditions inside the building.

Firefighter Beibit Kyran of Fire Station No. 23 contacted construction-site staff, clarified the situation and coordinated their actions, directing people to safety.

Kyran said he moved to Astana from China in 2017 to pursue a long-held dream. He has since started a family in the capital and now serves as a firefighter-rescuer.

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The ministry emphasized that his knowledge of Chinese enabled clear communication during the emergency, helping speed up firefighting efforts and ensure public safety.