Death toll in Karaganda mine blast keeps growing

The number of dead miners in the Karaganda region has reached 33 people, first deputy director of the Karaganda branch of "Republican Central Headquarters of professional paramilitary emergency services" Gennady Silinsky said.

"Thirty-three people have been found, 13 are not found yet, 6 people have been taken out. Work is now underway. The origin of the fire localised," he said, according to Kazinform.

Fire broke out at the mine named after Kostenko in Karaganda region early this morning.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev expressed sincere condolences to the families and friends of the miners. The head of state also instructed to stop investment cooperation with ArcelorMittalTemirtau.

The General Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal investigation into the accident at the Kostenko mine.