KARAGANDA: Kazakhstan is reeling from one of its deadliest mining disasters as a fire at an ArcelorMittal-owned mine killed 32 people on Saturday. The, occurring in the central Asian country’s Karaganda region, has left over a dozen individuals still missing.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his outrage at Luxembourg-listed ArcelorMittal, labeling it the “worst” company in Kazakh history. He swiftly ordered the government to take control of the Kazakh branch of the company, highlighting the urgent need for increased safety measures and stricter adherence to regulations.
The mine fire marks the most tragic incident in Kazakhstan since 2006 when 41 miners lost their lives at another ArcelorMittal site. This recent catastrophe follows closely after a blast in the summer, also at an ArcelorMittal facility, which claimed the lives of five miners.
Day of National Mourning in Kazakhstan
Amidst the ongoing rescue efforts, President Tokayev declared a day of national mourning for Sunday, honoring the memory of those lost in the tragic event. The President, who has criticized ArcelorMittal’s safety record in the past, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. He appointed Vadim Basin, the former ArcelorMittal employee and deputy governor of the Karaganda region, to head the company, citing the inadequacy of the current management.
ArcelorMittal, in response, promised compensation to the victims’ families and pledged cooperation with the authorities. Meanwhile, 18 individuals injured in the incident have been hospitalized, 15 of whom are being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in the toxicology department, according to regional health department head Bibigul Tulegenova.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and support to Kazakhstan, highlighting the importance of saving the miners still trapped underground.
Kazakhstan’s economy, fueled by industries like iron, coal, oil, gas, and uranium extraction, has faced challenges due to aging infrastructure and lax safety standards.
