ASTANA, March 17. /TASS/. An avalanche struck the Shymbulak ski resort near Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty, burying several skiers and killing at least one, local authorities reported.

The Almaty administration’s rescue service stated the incident occurred at around 12:57 p.m. Moscow time (9:57 a.m. GMT). "According to initial reports, there were victims, but the exact number and their condition are still unknown."

In turn, Kazakhstan’s emergency ministry confirmed a Russian citizen was killed in the avalanche.

"On March 17, 2025, around 50 cubic meters of snow descended the slope near the Levyy Talgar gorge at an altitude of 3,160 meters [above sea level]. According to initial reports, it struck a group of freeride skiers who ignored avalanche warnings," the ministry said in a statement. "The body of a woman, a Russian citizen born in 1990, was recovered from the snow."

Rescuers cautioned that the avalanche warning remains in effect in the area.