In Kazakhstan, several dozen miners died due to an explosion in a mine.

A gas methane explosion occurred in the Kostenko mine in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan. This was reported by the press service of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC, which owns the mine.

The press release said that at the time of the accident there were 252 miners in the mine, 208 of them were brought to the surface. The company also reported the discovery of the bodies of 22 miners. Several dozen more workers remain underground.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the government to stop investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Aqorda reports .

The Prosecutor General's Office of Kazakhstan began a pre-trial investigation under the article on violation of safety rules during mining or construction work (Part 3 of Article 277 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan).

The ArcelorMittal Temirtau website says that it is the largest enterprise in the mining and metallurgical sector of Kazakhstan. It specializes in the production of flat and long products, sinter, iron ore and coal concentrate, as well as coke, cast iron, electric-welded pipes and other products.

On October 29, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan reported the death of 38 miners. The search for eight more continues. “Exploration work is complicated by the presence of destroyed mine equipment, as well as fallouts in some places,” the department said in a statement.

Updated 10/29/2023. Added information about the death of 38 mine workers.

To receive the main news faster, subscribe to our telegram and Twitter .