At least 21 people killed in mine fire in Kazakhstan

Astana: At least 21 people were killed in a fire at the Kostenko mine in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda Region, with 18 injured miners in hospital, according to local reports on Saturday.

Twenty-one bodies have been found so far, and 23 miners are still trapped in the mine as the rescue operation remains ongoing, local media reported, citing the ArcelorMittal Temirtau company, which owns the mine.

Earlier Saturday, Governor Yermaganbet Bulekpayev said the fire in the mine broke out in the morning.

There were 252 people inside the mine when the incident occurred. A total of 208 miners have been evacuated.