On the morning of 28 October 2023, a fire started at the Kostenko mine in the Karaganda Region of Kazakhstan.

[9] Authorities had already expressed dissatisfaction with the company's failure to fulfill its investment commitments, modernize equipment, and ensure worker safety.

[2] At 02:33 ALMT at the Kostenko mine, a fire occurred at a level located about 700 metres (2,300 ft) deep.

[14] Later that night, at a briefing in Karaganda, it was said that the 13 people who had not yet been found had little chance of survival and that a fire from a coal furnace caused the disaster.

President Tokayev visited the mine and ordered the termination of all investment with the company,[11] and 29 October was declared a day of national mourning in the country.

[24] According to the Prime Minister's official website, 20 injured miners were treated at the Makazhanov hospital.

[25] According to the Karaganda regional health department's bulletin published on 29 October, 28 people were taken to the hospital, 20 gas-poisoned people were slightly and moderately injured, one patient with various injuries was in the intensive care unit in a stable condition, one person was in traumatology in moderate condition, two miners were hospitalized in the Shakhtinsk center in moderate condition, and four people were sent to outpatient treatment.

The average payment will be ₸400,000–500,000 (roughly US$1,000) per month until dependents reach the age of 18, or 23 if they are studying in a higher educational institution.