Serious allegations against authorities: 45 people died in the explosion at the Kazakh coal power plant

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

At least 45 people died in the worst mining accident of recent years in the Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakh Civil Defense announced on Sunday that it was still searching for a missing miner following a devastating explosion at the Kostenko coal mine in the industrial city of Karaganda region.

Operator Arcelormittal announced on Saturday that a methane gas explosion occurred in the mine, where more than 250 miners were underground, on Saturday morning. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared nationwide mourning on Sunday.

It was stated that nearly 20 injured people were treated in hospital after the mining accident. Rescuers said they had little hope of finding survivors. Gennady Silinski, deputy head of the state rescue service, said that the pressure wave from the explosion spread for two kilometers along the well corridors. It is also very difficult to identify the dead.

serious failures

Kazakh authorities accused the international steel company Arcelormittal of serious negligence in the face of the new disaster. The safety of workers could not be guaranteed. President Tokayev went to the scene of the accident and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased at the meeting. He promised financial aid to survivors.

Tokayev also ordered the termination of the partnership with investors. He placed the company under state administration and appointed a new company director. Accordingly, a change of ownership must also occur. Arcelormittal is in danger of losing its business in the resource-rich steppe state.

Operations at a total of eight Arcelormittal coal mines were temporarily suspended to check devices that protect against highly explosive mine gas. The company expressed its condolences to the relatives of the deceased and promised to help. According to officials, the families of the survivors will receive compensation equal to an apartment, ten years’ salary at the company’s expense, as well as comprehensive social benefits, including education for the children.

Repeated fatal events

According to Arcelormittal, more than 200 of the 252 workers had made it to the surface of the mine shaft. The worst mining accident in recent years. There have been repeated fatal incidents in the company’s coal mines. According to official information, more than 100 people have died in Arcelormittal properties alone in the last 15 years. In 2006, 41 miners died in the Lenin coal mine; This was the worst accident ever.

Kazakhstan, which is also rich in oil and gas, is an important supplier of raw materials to many countries. For example, Germany buys oil from the former Soviet republic, which reaches Europe via the transit country Russia. (AFP/SDA)

Source :Blick