[1/4] An ambulance drives out of the Kostenko coal mine operated by ArcelorMittal Temirtau as rescue operation continues following a mine fire, in Karaganda, Kazakhstan October 28, 2023.
REUTERS/Stringer Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Suspected methane blast, company saysSome 206 of 252 people evacuatedPresident declares Oct 29 national day of mourningGovernment, company say working to nationalise the firmALMATY, Oct 28 (Reuters) - At least 28 people have died and 18 remain missing after a mine fire in Kazakhstan, the Ministry for Emergency Situations said on Saturday.
Operator ArcelorMittal Temirtau (MT.LU), the local unit of the Luxembourg-based steelmaker, said 206 of 252 people at the Kostenko mine had been evacuated after what appeared to be a methane blast.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who expressed condolences to the victims' families and declared a national day of mourning on Oct. 29, ordered his cabinet to stop investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau.
"ArcelorMittal is committed to completing this transaction as soon as possible in order to minimise disruption to the greatest extent possible."
Persons:
ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Stringer, ArcelorMittal, Kassym, Tokayev, Roman Sklyar, Olzhas, William Mallard, Jason Neely
Organizations:
REUTERS, Ministry, Emergency, Kazakh, Thomson
Locations:
Karaganda, Kazakhstan, ALMATY, Luxembourg, Republic of Kazakhstan