Ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Sapar Isakov apologised Monday to residents in the capital Bishkek over a heating crisis that has left citizens shivering in their apartments amid plunging winter temperatures. In a public address on Monday Isakov apologised to residents "experiencing great difficulties with heating in apartments and houses, as well as with power cuts associated with increased loads on the system."

Bishkek's main power plant, known in Russian as 'TETs', partially broke down Friday just as unseasonably cold temperatures pushed 30 degrees below freezing. Residents of Bishkek complained en masse that radiators in their apartments and homes were not fully working, forcing them to sleep in winter clothes. Many, including an AFP correspondent, reported that temperatures inside Soviet-era apartments heated by the plant were still hovering around 10 degrees celsius as of Monday with evening temperatures outside at around minus 16. In the address broadcast on television and radio Isakov said that bosses "responsible for the energy sector and for preparing for the autumn-winter season in the country" would be held responsible for the crisis.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2018