32 killed, several missing after fire in Kazakhstan mine
PTC News Desk: At least 32 people were killed on Saturday when a fire broke out at ArcelorMittal's mine in Kazakhstan, prompting the government to order an "end to investment cooperation" with the company.
"At the Kostyenko mine as of 4 pm (1000 GMT) the bodies of 32 people have been found. The search for 14 miners is continuing, "the emergency situations ministry said in a statement.
It was the second deadly disaster at an ArcelorMittal site in Kazakhstan in two months, following the death of five miners in an accident at a mine in the same region in August.
"The government has been ordered to end investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal," Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Authorities have repeatedly accused ArcelorMittal's operations in the country of failing to follow safety and environmental regulations.
According to the company, at least 21 miners died at the Kostenko mine, and a search for 23 others who were among more than 200 underground when the fire broke out was ongoing.
Regional officials said 40 rescuers had been sent to the scene, and the government's emergency response minister, Syrym Sharipkhanov, said he would be there soon.
The cause of the accident has yet to be determined.
- With inputs from agencies
