The Abaiskaya mine in central Kazakhstan where 30 people were killed in a methane blast three days ago is being flooded, the country's emergencies ministry said on Monday.

Of the 191 miners in the pit when the explosion went off at 9:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. GMT) on Friday, 161 have been rescued. Seven bodies were recovered, and the search for the remaining 23 missing miners was broken off on Sunday.

Operations to pump water into the mine's conveyer and ventilation shafts were launched on Sunday to prevent the fire from spreading.

A criminal investigation has been launched into the incident. A special government commission led by Emergencies Minister Vladimir Bozhko is working at the site of the explosion.

The Abaiskaya mine is owned by ArcelorMittal Temirtau, a subsidiary of the world's largest steel company, ArcelorMittal.

RIA Novosti



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