Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense has released the names of service members killed during naval exercises on the Caspian Sea coast in the Mangystau Region. The list includes 11 sailors and one senior lieutenant whose bodies were found and whose deaths have been officially confirmed, according to infohub.kz.
"The personnel of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan express their deepest condolences to the families and friends of the service members killed during the exercises in the Mangystau Region," the defense ministry said in a statement.
The outlet Lada.kz published the list of the dead, with their places of residence, as announced at the site of the headquarters operation in the Mangystau Region.
Madikhan Azamat Bolatbekuly, born June 10, 2007, a native of the Mangystau Region, lived in Zhanaozen.
Tolegen Akylbek Kabenuly, born February 11, 2007, a native of the Mangystau Region, lived in the village of Zharmysh.
Berdikhanov Meirambek Ermukhanuly, born March 21, 2006, a native of the Mangystau Region, lived in Zhanaozen.
Ayapbergen Serzhan Talgatuly, born February 18, 2006, a native of the Mangystau Region, lived in Aktau.
Mukhtaruly Olzhas, born January 9, 2003, a native of the Turkistan Region.
Temirgaliyev Zhenis Tileusheyevich, born May 8, 2005, a native of the West Kazakhstan Region, Burlinsky District.
Kobenov Almas Zhusipuly, born January 23, 2006, a native of the Republic of Uzbekistan, lived in the village of Bayandy-3.
Omirzak Omirbek Omirbolatuly, born April 23, 2007, a native of the West Kazakhstan Region, Baiterek District.
Zhanabai Aset Samatuly, born September 19, 2006, a native of the Mangystau Region, Mangystau District, village of Shetpe.
Begei Dastan Nurboluly, born September 3, 2007, a native of the Mangystau Region, Zhanaozen.
Dikhanbayev Olzhas Tazhibayuly, born December 14, 2005, a native of the Mangystau Region, Zhanaozen.
Gilazh Akzhaiyk Bolatbetuly, born September 15, 2006, a native of the West Kazakhstan Region, Uralsk.
The tragedy occurred on September 24 in the Mangystau Region during exercises of 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, service members were swept out to sea due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.
Initially, it was reported that 19 service members had been swept out to sea. At that time, the deaths of 9 service members were confirmed. The Prosecutor General's Office said a criminal case had been opened and was under investigation at the Aktau garrison.
After the deaths, a government commission was created, and Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was sent to the scene of the emergency. Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed condolences over the deaths of the service members in the Mangystau Region and gave instructions for an investigation into the tragedy.
Festive events marking City Day in Aktau were canceled. 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 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 figures became known. Seventeen people were swept out to sea, 12 of them died, and three were rescued. The search for the remaining two service members continues.