NUR-SULTAN, Jan. 16 (AFP) - Violent unrest in Kazakhstan has left 225 people dead, authorities announced Saturday, representing a dramatic increase over previous tolls.

"During the state of emergency, the bodies of 225 people were delivered to morgues, of which 19 were law enforcement officers and military personnel," Serik Shalabayev, a representative of the state prosecutor, explained at a briefing.

Shalabayev added that others were "armed bandits who participated in terrorist attacks, and unfortunately, civilians have also become victims of acts of terrorism."