In Aktau, relatives of servicemen killed during exercises by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea coast have gathered at the city morgue, demanding identification of the bodies. Footage from the scene was shared by Aktau blogger Azamat Sarsenbayev, according to infohub.kz.

On his Instagram page, the blogger showed what was happening outside the Aktau City Morgue at that moment.

“Hundreds of people, relatives and loved ones, have gathered in front of the morgue entrance, demanding identification of the soldiers’ bodies. Local officials are currently preparing to transport the bodies to the soldiers’ places of residence (the bodies will not be handed over directly at the morgue). As Deputy Akim of Mangystau Region Galymzhan Niyazov assured, the soldiers’ bodies will be delivered and handed over to their relatives at their places of residence as soon as possible,” the post said.

The tragedy occurred on September 24 in 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 Caspian Sea coast, servicemen were swept out to sea due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.

According to preliminary information from the Ministry of Defense, 19 servicemen were swept out to sea. To date, 9 servicemen have been confirmed dead. The Prosecutor General’s Office said a criminal case has been opened and is being investigated in the Aktau garrison.

After the deaths of the servicemen, a government commission was created, and Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was sent to the site of the emergency. Kazakhstan President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed condolences over the deaths of the servicemen in Mangystau Region and issued instructions for an investigation into the tragedy.

Festive events in honor of City Day have been canceled in Aktau. Qasym-Jomart Toqaev declared September 25 a Day of National Mourning in Kazakhstan.

On the evening of September 24, a commission led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev arrived in Mangystau Region.