At least 21 dead in Kazakhstan mine fire

BERLIN - At least 21 workers have died in a fire in a coal mine in the Central Asian republic of Kazakhstan, reported German news agency (dpa).

Another 23 miners were listed as missing after the incident in the industrial city of Karaganda, the operating company Arcelormittal said.

According to the multinational, 208 of the 252 workers had come to the surface. Eighteen of them needed medical help.

The same company had another fatal accident at one of its mines in August. A government-appointed commission held the company responsible for the accident.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has now instructed his government to end the investment partnership with Arcelormittal.

He offered his condolences to families of the victims. - BERNAMA