Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev receives phone calls and telegrams of condolence from heads of foreign
states, governments and international organizations for 45 miners killed in the
accident at the Kostenko mine in the Karagandy region. October 29 was declared
a day of national mourning in Kazakhstan. Presidents of Turkey, Uzbekistan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, France, UAE, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Belarus,
the Ruler of Dubai, the Prime Minister of Armenia, the WHO Director-General, the
IOM Director General, the Secretary General of TURKSOY, the Secretary-General
of the SCO, the Secretary General of the OTS and others expressed sincere
condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a
speedy recovery to the injured.
It is worth noting that the fire,
presumably caused by a gas methane explosion, occurred at night on October 28.
At the time of the accident, 252 people were inside the mine. Of these, 206 miners
were evacuated. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan launched a pre-trial
investigation into the fire accident under the article “Violation of safety
rules during mining or construction work”.
The Head of State almost
immediately arrived at the site of the tragedy and met with the families of
killed and injured miners. He expressed condolences to the families of the
victims of the mine fire, noting that comprehensive assistance will be
provided. President Tokayev instructed the government to cease investment
cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau mining company. He also held a meeting
of the operational headquarters to eliminate the consequences of the mine fire,
instructing to continue the search and rescue operation in an enhanced mode
with the involvement of all necessary means.
“I instruct the Government and local
authorities to provide comprehensive assistance, and the country’s Emergencies
Ministry, together with all relevant agencies, to undertake all measures to
eliminate the aftermath of the accident and rescue the mine workers. The Kazakh
Ministry of Internal Affairs must work with the families of the victims. I
instruct the Government Commission to investigate the circumstances of the fire
that caused the death of people and to bring all those responsible to justice,”
noted the Head of State.
