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| Kazakh oil strike: 10 dead in Zhanaozen clashes | Kazakh oil strike: 10 dead in Zhanaozen clashes |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| At least 10 people have been killed as striking oil workers clashed with government forces in a town in western Kazakhstan, officials say. | At least 10 people have been killed as striking oil workers clashed with government forces in a town in western Kazakhstan, officials say. |
| Eyewitnesses said police fired on the protesters in the town of Zhanaozen, but the authorities deny this. | Eyewitnesses said police fired on the protesters in the town of Zhanaozen, but the authorities deny this. |
| The clashes occurred when police tried to clear the town's main square, occupied by the oil workers for more than six months. | The clashes occurred when police tried to clear the town's main square, occupied by the oil workers for more than six months. |
| They are demanding better pay, but their action has been declared illegal. | They are demanding better pay, but their action has been declared illegal. |
| The clashes came as Kazakhstan marked the 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union, with celebrations throughout the country. | The clashes came as Kazakhstan marked the 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union, with celebrations throughout the country. |
| Correspondents say the unrest will come as a shock to President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has ruled the republic since before independence and kept a tight rein on public protest. | |
| There were signs that the authorities were trying to control media reports, they add, with internet users reporting difficulties accessing independent news websites and Twitter. | |
| Offices on fire | |
| Police moved in to clear the square early on Friday morning for independence celebrations but were charged by the oil workers. | |
| An eyewitness told the BBC police had opened fire on the unarmed protesters and one man died in her arms from a shot to the heart. | |
| A number of buildings including local government offices, a hotel and the office of the state oil company were set on fire, Kazakhstan's General Prosecutor Askhat Daulbayev said. | A number of buildings including local government offices, a hotel and the office of the state oil company were set on fire, Kazakhstan's General Prosecutor Askhat Daulbayev said. |
| Preliminary information indicated 10 deaths, with police officers among the injured, he added. | Preliminary information indicated 10 deaths, with police officers among the injured, he added. |
| "Civilians, who had gathered in the main square to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the country's independence, were attacked by a group of hooligans," he said. | "Civilians, who had gathered in the main square to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the country's independence, were attacked by a group of hooligans," he said. |
| Some yurts and a portable stage erected for Independence Day were destroyed, the prosecutor said. | Some yurts and a portable stage erected for Independence Day were destroyed, the prosecutor said. |
| The Kazakh opposition TV channel K-Plus showed what appeared to be the beginning of the unrest, with oil workers running on to the stage, tipping over speakers and pushing officials before police arrived. | The Kazakh opposition TV channel K-Plus showed what appeared to be the beginning of the unrest, with oil workers running on to the stage, tipping over speakers and pushing officials before police arrived. |
| Mr Daulbayev added that a criminal investigation had been opened into the disturbances, which had resulted from "criminal actions". | Mr Daulbayev added that a criminal investigation had been opened into the disturbances, which had resulted from "criminal actions". |
| Oil workers at the Ozenmunaigas oil field, which employs the Zhanaozen workers, have higher than average salaries, but strike organisers say the workers are owed danger money for the tough conditions they work in. | Oil workers at the Ozenmunaigas oil field, which employs the Zhanaozen workers, have higher than average salaries, but strike organisers say the workers are owed danger money for the tough conditions they work in. |
| The oil-rich but remote western Mangistau region has seen several cases of industrial action this year, with oil fields responding by sacking hundreds of workers. | The oil-rich but remote western Mangistau region has seen several cases of industrial action this year, with oil fields responding by sacking hundreds of workers. |
| Are you in Zhanaozen? Have you witnessed the protests? Send us your stories using the form below. | Are you in Zhanaozen? Have you witnessed the protests? Send us your stories using the form below. |