The authorities of Aktau have announced the cancellation of all festive events marking City Day following the deaths of servicemen during exercises by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Caspian Sea, the website infohub.kz reports.

The city administration published the corresponding statement on its official Instagram account. The celebrations that had been planned on the Amphitheater square were among those cancelled.

"In connection with the tragic incident that occurred during military exercises in the Mangystau Region, the festive events planned for September 25-27, 2026 on the Amphitheater square in Aktau will not be held," the administration said.

In particular, the grand opening of the international festival "Caspian — Sea of Friendship," scheduled for September 25, will not take place. Also cancelled are the closing ceremony of the festival-competition and the gala concert dedicated to Aktau City Day, which were to be held on September 27.

"The city administration expresses its sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the servicemen who died during the military exercises," the city authorities said.

The tragedy occurred on September 24 in the Mangystau Region. During exercises by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while carrying out a training and combat mission on the coast of the Caspian Sea, servicemen were swept out to sea because of a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.

According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Defense, 19 servicemen ended up in the sea. The deaths of 9 of them have been confirmed so far.

The Prosecutor General's Office said a criminal case has been opened and is being investigated over the deaths of the servicemen in the Aktau garrison.

Blogger Azamat Sarsenbayev from Aktau published video from the scene of the emergency in the Mangystau Region.

A government commission was set up after the incident, and Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was sent to the scene.

Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed condolences over the deaths of the servicemen in the Mangystau Region and issued instructions for an investigation into the tragedy.