In Astana, a man was captured on video walking on the still-thin ice of a pond in the Botanical Garden with small children, reports Tengrinews.kz.

The video, which quickly became popular on the internet, shows the man holding the hand of a small child as they descend onto the ice. Another child, slightly older, follows them along the edge of the pond in the Botanical Garden.

A woman, who appears to be waiting for them, watches from the shore of the pond.

It’s worth noting that, according to meteorologists, Astana is experiencing clear weather today, with daytime temperatures rising to +3 to +5 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures dropping to -1 to -3 degrees Celsius. Commentators on the video were clearly stunned by the man’s actions. ‘My God, how can they not worry that a tragedy could happen at any moment? What are these people thinking, especially taking the little ones with them?’ ‘Unbelievable. I’m at a loss for words.’ ‘Such parents should be fined for irresponsibility,’ express the outraged citizens of Kazakhstan.

The Astana Emergency Services Department reminded that autumn ice, forming from November to December before the onset of stable frosts, is fragile and thin, making it dangerous to venture onto. ‘Safe ice for people is considered to be at least 10 centimeters thick. At river mouths and tributaries, the ice’s strength is weakened. The ice is fragile in areas of rapid flow, spring outflows, sewage discharges, and near areas of aquatic vegetation, trees, and reeds. If air temperatures remain above zero degrees Celsius for more than three days, the ice’s strength decreases by 25 percent. Do not let children onto the ice (for fishing, skiing, skating) without adult supervision,’ the capital’s emergency services urge.

Rescuers also reminded that a person who falls into icy water can become numb within 10-15 minutes and lose consciousness within 20 minutes. Therefore, the life of the victim depends on the promptness and resourcefulness of the rescuers.

‘The capital’s Emergency Services Department, together with the police and volunteers, conduct preventive raids in the city’s water areas to prevent the loss of life and to inform the population about the dangers of thin ice. Dear citizens, remember, for your own safety, venturing onto thin and unstable ice is prohibited. Ice fishing enthusiasts are required to wear a life jacket,’ the Emergency Services Department appealed.