Mine Blast in Kazakhstan Kills 32; 8 Missing
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Staff Writer Almaty, Kazakhstan (AHN) - On Wednesday, a methane explosion occurred in a coal mine in northern Kazakhstan, killing at least 32 miners and injuring three. Nearly eight miners are reported missing. Zhanar Bekbanova, spokeswoman for the Karaganda regional administration informed that the blast happened at the Lenin mine that is owned by Arcelor Mittal. The AP reports the dead bodies of 32 miners had been recovered while three miners were pulled out alive and hospitalized in serious condition. The search for eight others continues. Stanislav Sytnik, a regional emergency official said that more than 300 miners escaped on their own and a fire caused by the morning blast had also been put out. The cause of the explosion is still was unknown and a full investigation would be launched soon. Lakshmi Mittal, president of Arcelor Mittal said, "We deeply regret this tragic accident and extend our full sympathy and condolences to the families of everyone that has been affected." "Our current priority is to search for the missing miners, and to lend support to the families of the bereaved," he added. The AP reports that in December 2004, an explosion in another coal mine owned by Mittal Steel Temirtau in the Karaganda region claimed the lives of 23 people. Workers complain that since last 11 years Mittal has not taken any initiative to improve their working co |
