Thousands of protesters burn down government offices after rising energy prices in Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest gas exporters (dramatic photo)

The country is one of the largest gas exporters in the world.

Explosions and shootings were heard last night in the capital Almaty, as thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the mayor’s office.

Footage posted on social media showed fire in administrative offices as protesters attacked police officers and armored vehicles that did not resist the crowds.

A group of protesters were seen riding on a truck as they attacked government offices.

The state of emergency was declared by President Kassym-Yomart Tokayev after accepting the resignation of the government, following the unexplained rise in fuel prices.

Atameken, Kazakhstan’s largest business group, said there had been attacks on their banks, shops and other businesses.

Kazakhstan is a tightly controlled state that cultivates an image of political stability by trying to attract foreign investment to its energy and metals industries.

The protests erupted after the government lifted the oil and gas price ceiling earlier this year, even though the former Soviet republic is one of the largest exporters of energy.

After the initial uprisings, oil prices fell again to 50 Kazakh tenge, about 10 cents per liter, but this again did not calm the rage against the authoritarian government of the country.

Tokayev today ordered local governors to restore the ceiling on energy and basic commodity prices for the population, and rent subsidies for poor households.

Tokayev has replaced the prime minister and security chief, dismissing Samat Abish, the grandson of the powerful former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Nazarbayev, 81, the former local leader of the Soviet party, ruled Kazakhstan for nearly 30 years before suddenly stepping down in 2019 to leave Tokayev.

Nazarbayev has not yet commented on the latest violence which does not seem to be going away any time soon.

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