Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan's first president, has expressed his condolences over the tragic deaths of Kazakh service members during exercises on the Caspian Sea. The statement was published on the former president's official website, according to infohub.kz.
The condolence message said Nazarbayev received the news of the deaths of Armed Forces service members during military exercises in the Mangystau Region with deep sorrow.
"Sharing the bitterness of an irreparable loss, the first president expressed his sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased," the statement said.
On the afternoon of September 24, Naval Forces were carrying out a training and combat mission on the Caspian Sea coast. The weather deteriorated sharply, the wind strengthened, and 17 service members were swept into the open sea.
According to the Ministry of Defense, 12 people died. Three were rescued, one of whom was hospitalized. The search for two other soldiers continues.
Kanat Bozumbayev heads the government commission investigating the causes of the tragedy. A criminal case has been opened over the deaths of the service members. The Prosecutor General's Office has taken the investigation under special control.
Later, President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev declared September 25 a day of mourning for the deceased service members.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that a criminal case had been opened over the deaths of the soldiers under Part 2 of Article 453 ("Negligent attitude to service resulting in grave consequences") and Article 465 ("Violation of ship navigation rules") of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.