Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev has said that all officials responsible for the tragedy on the Caspian Sea will be held accountable, infohub.kz reports.
The official statement by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev was published on the Telegram channel of the Mangystau Region akimat.
"Today our country has suffered a grave loss. As a result of a tragic incident in the Mangystau Region, 12 of our servicemen died, three were rescued, and the search for the remaining two continues. Head of State Qasym-Jomart Kemelevich Toqaev expresses deep and sincere condolences to the families, relatives and loved ones of the fallen soldiers and officers. The President and the entire people of Kazakhstan share your irreparable grief," Bozumbayev said.
He recalled that criminal cases have been opened by the authorized bodies in connection with the incident. According to him, the investigation will be conducted as thoroughly, objectively and promptly as possible.
"All officials whose actions or inaction led to this tragedy will be punished to the full extent of the law. The state will not leave the families of the victims alone with this misfortune. Each family of the fallen serviceman will receive substantial financial assistance, as well as all necessary support," Bozumbayev added.
The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the progress of the investigation and the provision of assistance to the families are under his personal control.
Recall that on September 24, in the Mangystau Region, during exercises of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the coast of the Caspian Sea, servicemen were swept out to sea due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.
Initially, it was reported that 19 servicemen were swept out to sea and the deaths of 9 servicemen were immediately confirmed. The Prosecutor General's Office reported that a criminal case was 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 scene of the emergency. President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed condolences over the deaths of the servicemen in the Mangystau Region and gave instructions for investigating 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, the commission led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev arrived in the Mangystau Region. Relatives of those killed during the exercises in the Caspian Sea arrived at the morgue in Aktau to identify the bodies.
On the evening of September 24, updated data became known: 17 people were swept out to sea, 12 of them died, three were rescued. The search for the remaining two servicemen continues.
The Ministry of Defense also published lists of the military personnel killed during the exercises in the Caspian Sea. The lists included 11 sailors and one senior lieutenant.