Kazakhstan has declared September 25 a national day of mourning for military personnel killed during exercises in the Caspian Sea. President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev signed the corresponding decree, infohub.kz reports.
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 performing a training and combat mission on the Caspian Sea coast, meteorological conditions sharply deteriorated and the wind intensified, sweeping the servicemen out to sea.
Initially, it was reported that 19 servicemen were in the sea, nine of whom died. However, on the evening of September 24, it became known that in reality 17 people were swept out to sea: 12 of them died, three were rescued. The search for two more servicemen continues.
The Ministry of Defense published the lists of those killed during the exercises. They include 11 sailors and one senior lieutenant.
The Prosecutor General's Office reported that a criminal case has been opened and is being investigated into the deaths of the servicemen in the Aktau garrison. After the tragedy, a government commission was created, and Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozumbaev was sent to the site of the emergency.
President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed condolences over the deaths of the servicemen in the Mangystau Region and gave instructions for an investigation into the tragedy. Festive events in honor of City Day have been canceled in Aktau.
In addition, Qanat Bozumbaev promised that all officials found guilty would be punished for "action or inaction." The media also learned that some of the deceased had only days left until demobilization.