Relatives of soldiers killed during military exercises in the Caspian Sea gathered outside the city morgue in Aktau but were unable to see their sons with their own eyes — some had only days left until demobilization. This was recounted by the father of one of the deceased servicemen, reports infohub.kz.

"They came to my home with this news. People from the akimat came, the district police officer. They said: 'Sorry, is this your son?' He's in the morgue. But I still don't know if this is my son or not. No one gives any information, no one has come out!" — Zhusip Orazali, the father of one of the deceased, told journalists before the official list was announced.

In connection with this tragedy, Kazakhstanis are recalling an emergency that occurred in the Caspian 11 years ago. Then, also during exercises while practicing a naval landing, six BTRs went out to sea. "They were hit by a wave so that only two vehicles managed to reach shore. The rest sank along with the servicemen. Four people died then. Six commanders were found guilty of negligent attitude to service. They received sentences ranging from one and a half to two years in a settlement colony and suspended sentences," according to a KTK TV channel report.

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, due to a sharp deterioration in meteorological conditions and strengthening wind, servicemen were swept out to sea.

Initially, it was reported that 19 servicemen were swept out to sea and the death of 9 servicemen was 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 site of the emergency. President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed condolences over the deaths of the servicemen in the Mangystau Region and gave instructions for investigating the tragedy.

In Aktau, festive events in honor of City Day were canceled. Qasym-Jomart Toqaev declared September 25 a Day of National Mourning in Kazakhstan. Soon 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.

Also, the Ministry of Defense published lists of military personnel who died during the exercises in the Caspian Sea. The lists included 11 sailors and one senior lieutenant.

In addition, Kanat Bozumbayev promised that all officials guilty in the Caspian Sea tragedy would be punished for "action or inaction."