Uzbek President extends condolences over Kostenko mine incident

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev extended his condolences to the Kazakh leader over the Karaganda mine tragedy, Kazinform News Agency reports. 

The Uzbek President said in a telephone conversation with his Kazakh counterpart that Uzbekistan stands ready to render necessary assistance in rectification of the incident consequences.

He went on to express hope the miners remaining in the mine will be saved.

The sides also discussed the pressing issues of bilateral and regional agenda.

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.

President Tokayev declared a national day of mourning on Sunday, October 29.

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.