On the 28th of October, a fire sparked by a methane gas explosion at the Kostenko coal mine in the Karaganda region, Kazakhstan, killed 46 miners. More than 200 workers were evacuated from the mine.

The mine is run by ArcelorMittal Temirtau, which is a local representative of one of the world’s largest producer of steel ArcelorMittal.

Operations at the ArcelorMittal's mines across Karaganda region have been suspended and a criminal investigation has been opened by the General Prosecutor’s Office.

The President of Kazakhstan declared a national day of mourning for those killed in the blast. In addition, he ordered the government to stop investment cooperation with the company and to transfer ownership rights to the state.