At a Government meeting on February 19, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said two special sub-commissions were set up to determine the cause of the Zhomart mine collapse in Ulytau region.
“Seven miners were killed in the Kazakhmys Corporation’s Zhomart mine collapse on February 17. 402 workers were evacuated. The pretrial investigation has been launched. The operational headquarters was deployed at the accident site. The hotline received 23 calls. The governmental commission proceeded to investigate the cause of the accident,” Bozumbayev said.
According to preliminary information, the natural gas explosion triggered the collapse. Bozumbayev and members of the commission surveyed the accident site and met with the bereaved families.
He said the operations at the mine were suspended. Two special sub-commissions were established. The first is set to determine the cause of the accident, and the second is to detect any safety volitions. The sub-commissions should complete their work within 10 days. (Kazinform)