Kazakhstan declares National Day of Mourning
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree declaring October 29 a national day of mourning, Kazinform cites the Akorda press service.
The Head of State decreed to declare the 29th of October as the Day of National Mourning in the Republic of Kazakhstan on the occasion of loss of lives as a result of the fatal incident in the Kostenko mine in Karaganda region.
The powerful blast rocked the Kostenko mine owned by ArcelorMittal Temirtau in Karaganda region on October 28. At the moment of the blast, 252 miners were in the mine. The blast reportedly killed 33 miners. 13 people are still missing, 20 more were hospitalized.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into the incident. The rescuers are working at the scene.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is in Karaganda region. He has already expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the miners and ordered to halt investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau.
At the instruction of the Head of State, the commission appointed Vadim Bassin, the first deputy akim (governor) of Karaganda region, as the interim director general of JSC ArcelorMittal Temirtau.
Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov was named as the head of the governmental commission to determine the causes and mitigate the consequences of the blast and fire in the Kostenko mine.
Presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, France, Uzbekistan as well as the foreign ministry of Türkiye expressed their condolences on the occasion of the deadly tragedy in Karaganda region.
