Atyrau has canceled all festive events marking City Day after a national mourning was declared following the deaths of servicemen during exercises in the Caspian Sea, infohub.kz reports.
The Atyrau city administration said residents are grieving together with the entire country over the tragedy in the Mangystau Region that claimed the lives of 14 military personnel.
"By the decision of the head of state, Qasym-Jomart Toqaev, a national mourning has been declared in Kazakhstan, and all established requirements are being strictly observed in our city. In this regard, we announce that all festive events dedicated to Atyrau City Day are canceled," the city administration added.
The tragedy occurred on September 24 during exercises in the Caspian Sea, when 17 servicemen were swept into open water. Rescuers managed to save three people, while 14 other servicemen died. The search operation was completed on the morning of September 25 after the bodies of Sergeant Mansur Gumarov and Seaman Miras Turdybekuly were found. That day was declared a nationwide day of mourning in Kazakhstan.
Five officers of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan have already been detained in connection with the deaths of the sailors. The Prosecutor General has taken personal control of the investigation into negligence and violations of navigation rules. A special commission led by Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozumbaev is looking into the causes of the incident.
Relatives of the deceased received telegrams of condolences from the president, and the head of the Ministry of Defense personally met with the families of the servicemen.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that Toqaev posthumously awarded the servicemen who died during the exercises in the Caspian Sea and dismissed Defense Minister Dauran Qosanov. Aidos Myrzakhmetov was appointed in his place.