At approximately 2200 EST on October 27th, 2023 initial reports indicated that a methane explosion erupted at the Kostenkon Mine in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Initial reports claimed that 20 were injured and 12 were hospitalized.
However, by 0100 EST on October 28th, 2023, local authorities increased the casualty number to 11 killed, 18 hospitalized, and more than 18 missing. President Tokayev made his first public announcement at around 0130 EST.
By 0200 EST Kazakh Emergency Situation Minister Shariphanov arrived on scene and conferred with plant managers. By 0230 EST, President Tokayev instructed the government to terminate subsidies and contracts with ArecelorMittal Temirtau, the mine operator. By the time President Tokayev arrived at 0300 EST, a pre trial investigation had already been announced into safety violations. The holdings of the company had also been transferred to state ownership. Rumors that the Kazakh government would turn the holdings over to foreign investors prompted the Kazakh government to clarify it intended to nationalize the holdings and return it to local government control.
#BREAKING Kazakhstan says wants to 'return' local ArcelorMittal branch to govt pic.twitter.com/MfolOcKqqf
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 28, 2023
#BREAKING ArcelorMittal confirms deal with Kazakhstan on nationalisation of local operations pic.twitter.com/lVgKEudTmA
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 28, 2023
The Russian Federation was the First Nation to send condolences. Tartasan Governor Minnikhanov sent a message to President Tokayev and offered support. The Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russian Federation President Putin quickly followed suit. As of this publication, the Serbian government has also sent official condolences as well as Uzbekistan.
As of this publication, the death toll is still climbing, it currently rests at 33 with an additional 14 miners still unaccounted for.
