Prime Minister orders to determine causes of Kostenko mine incident

Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov chaired the session of the governmental commission to determine the cause and mitigate the consequences of the fire in the Kostenko mine of JSC ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Kazinform News Agency reports. 

At the start of the session, he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased miners. According to him, the families will get all necessary help.

He also wished the speedy recovery to those injured who, in his words, are getting medical treatment.

During the session, Prime Minister Smailov was briefed in detail on the current state in the mine, progress in rescue efforts and other measures taken.

The Premier admitted that the situation with ensuring industrial safety at the enterprise is still critical.

Following results of the session, the head of the Kazakh Government ordered the Karaganda region akimat together with the Emergencies Ministry and other agencies to assume necessary measures to mitigate the incident.

Alikhan Smailov stressed it is crucial to determine the cause of the incident and those responsible.

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.