42 Dead in Mine Fire in Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Emergency Situations in Kazakhstan reported that the death toll from a fire in a mine owned by ArcelorMittal has risen to 42, while the search continues for four missing individuals. The ministry stated in a statement, "The presence of destroyed excavation equipment hinders search operations as well as debris in some areas," noting that "rescuers are searching for the missing in two areas of the mine, which extends over four kilometers." ArcelorMittal Temirtau, which operates the mine and is a local unit of Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, confirmed on Saturday that 206 out of 252 individuals present in the Kostinco mine were evacuated following what appears to be a methane gas explosion.