At least 21 people have died in a mine fire in Kazakhstan, ArcelorMittal Temirtau, the local unit of the Luxembourg-based steelmaker which operates the mine, said on Saturday.

Of the 252 people at the Kostenko mine, 208 had been evacuated, with 18 seeking medical help, the company said in a statement. Some 23 people had not been located by 12 p.m. (0600 GMT).

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who expressed condolences to the victims' families, ordered his cabinet to stop investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau.