More than 20 dead in Kazakhstan mine explosion

A methane gas explosion at the Kostenko mine in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region, owned by ArcelorMittal Temirtau, has resulted in 21 fatalities and left 23 miners missing. Of the 252 miners at the site during the incident, 208 were safely evacuated.

In response, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has suspended investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau and initiated a government investigation. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstani Prosecutor General’s Office is conducting a pre-trial investigation into potential violations of safety regulations.

In August, Kazakhstani Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov highlighted ongoing safety concerns at ArcelorMittal Temirtau, noting over 100 fatalities at the company’s facilities in the past 15 years.