Seven killed in Kazakh mine blast

At least seven people have been killed in a coal mine explosion in the Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 20 others are still missing as the rescue operation continues. Immediately after the blast a fire broke out, making the job of the emerg

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the explosion which happened at the Abay coal mine in the country's Karaganda region.

About 200 miners were working underground when the gas explosion ripped through the mine.  

More than 150 people have been rescued, some of them in a serious condition.

The mine belongs to the world's largest steel maker, ArcelorMittal.

In 2006, an explosion ripped through the Leninskaya mine in the same region, killing 41 people.