Kazakhstan in Nationwide Mourning after Mining Accident Killed 36 People

Last Updated: October 29, 2023, 12:46 IST

Relatives of miners gather outside the Kostyenko ArcelorMittal coal mine building as a rescue operation continues following a mine fire in Karaganda, north-western Kazakhstan, on October 28, 2023. (AFP Photo)

Relatives of miners gather outside the Kostyenko ArcelorMittal coal mine building as a rescue operation continues following a mine fire in Karaganda, north-western Kazakhstan, on October 28, 2023. (AFP Photo)

Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev travelled to the scene of the incident Saturday and ordered cooperation with ArcelorMittal be “brought to an end”

Kazakhstan was in nationwide mourning Sunday after 36 people died in a fire at an ArcelorMittal mine, the worst such disaster in years which has prompted the nationalisation of the company’s local affiliate.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations said at 10:00 am local time (0400 GMT), “the bodies of 36 miners were found and 10 workers were still being sought”. The chances of finding them alive are, however, “very low,” the rescuers warned the night before, due to the lack of ventilation in the mine and the force of Saturday’s explosion, which spread over two kilometres.

Kazakhstan’s…

Exit mobile version