Philippine workers evacuated after riot in Kazakhstan

MANILA (AFP) – Hundreds of Filipino workers have been evacuated from an oil-drilling site in Kazakhstan after a riot that left dozens dead and injured, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.

About 447 Filipinos were moved to a safer part of the Bechtel run compound in Tengiz, western Kazakhstan, after a violent clash between Kazakh and Turkish workers on Friday, foreign department spokesman Eduardo Malaya said.

The riot claimed many lives but no Filipino workers were involved, Malaya said. A report in the Philippine Star said up to 40 people were killed and many more injured.

Malaya said reports reaching Manila indicated the riot started in the workers canteen when “someone cut into the line” as workers were waiting to be served a meal.

AFP