On the morning of September 28, Almaty residents felt an underground tremor and received a national earthquake alert on their phones, while the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that the registered seismic event was not felt in the city, according to infohub.kz.
According to the National Scientific Center for Seismological Research and Information (NNCSNI) under Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations, the seismic event was registered on September 28 at 06:32 Astana time on the territory of Kazakhstan.
"In the city of Almaty, it was not felt. No reports of incidents or calls related to the earthquake were received on 112 and 101 at the Almaty Emergency Situations Department," the Ministry of Emergency Situations told Kursiv.
However, according to social media reports, some users claim they felt the tremor.
Meanwhile, photos appeared on social media showing people outside near one of Almaty's schools. According to the authors of the posts, an evacuation took place in the building. There is no official confirmation of a link between the evacuation and the morning seismic event as of publication time.
In the national alert, residents were warned about the earthquake and asked to remain in open spaces until further instructions.
"Attention! An earthquake has occurred. Until further instructions, remain in open spaces. If you detect building damage or fire, please report it to the hotline of the Emergency Situations Department (279-22-32)," the message said.
Those trapped inside buildings were advised to stay calm and report their location. For additional information, residents were asked to monitor the official resources of the Emergency Situations Department and the Almaty Akimat.
Later, Yergen Batpasov, head of the duty unit of the Almaty Emergency Situations Department's Planning and Operational Management Center, said seismologists were determining data on the epicenter and intensity.
"Relevant government agencies have been notified. Information is being updated. We ask you to stay calm and not panic," he said.
The Emergency Situations Department also added that the situation is under control.