[Iran Press TV] At least 10 killed people have been killed after police forces clashed with protesters in Kazakhstan's western oil city of Zhanaozen.Prosecutor General Askhat Daulbayev said the deadly festivities erupted on Friday between on-strike oil workers and police forces at a ceremony marking Kazakhstan's Independence Day in Zhanaozen, AFP reported.
The buildings of the local administration, hotels and energy firm Uzenmunaigas facility were set on fire and ATMs robbed, Daulbayev said in the capital Astana.
"According to preliminary information, 10 people were killed as a result of the mass riots in Zhanaozen. There are also maimed, including police," he said.
Workers in Zhanaozen and other cities in the Mangistau region have been on strike for months for higher wages.
The exploration arm of state energy company Kazmunaigaz -- which owns Uzenmunaigas - said all its operations were working normally despite the "mass riots" that saw Uzenmunaigas offices torched.
Daulbayev said the Friday festivities were instigated by an attack by club-wielding "hooligans" who attacked the police, turned over a Christmas tree and burned a police bus.