Fire at coal mine in Kazakhstan kills 28 people

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A fire at a coal mine near Kazakhstan's city of Karaganda killed 28 people, the country's Emergency Ministry said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday night when some 252 workers were present in the mine, the ministry said in a statement, adding that a search and rescue operation continues.

The mine is operated by ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based multinational steel manufacturing corporation.

Following the incident, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered the government to end cooperation with the group.

According to the government press service, the authorities reached a preliminary agreement with the shareholders of ArcelorMittal Temirtau, the company's local representative, and the transfer of ownership to the state is being finalized.

The latest incident is the second in three months. On Aug.17 a conveyor belt caught fire at the Kazakhstanskaya mine, also operated by ArcelorMittal Temirtau.

Tokayev, who is currently in Karaganda to personally supervise the rescue operation, declared Sunday as a day of mourning in Kazakhstan.

In a written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences to Kazakhstan over the deadly fire at the coal mine, saying it is "deeply saddened by the mine accident" in the country.

"Türkiye stands in solidarity with the government and people of our friend and brother Kazakhstan," the ministry added.