Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev has extended deep condolences to the families and loved ones of servicemen killed in a tragic incident during military exercises in the Mangystau Region and ordered an investigation into the tragedy, infohub.kz reports.
According to the Akorda's Telegram channel, the head of state instructed a government commission to take all necessary measures to establish the circumstances of the incident and provide assistance to the families of the victims.
The tragedy occurred today, 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 coast of the Caspian Sea, servicemen were swept into the sea due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.
According to preliminary information from the Ministry of Defense, 19 servicemen were swept into the sea. So far, 9 servicemen have been confirmed dead.
The Prosecutor General's Office reported that a criminal case has been opened and is being investigated into the deaths of servicemen during exercises at the Aktau garrison.
Blogger Azamat Sarsenbayev from Aktau published a video from the scene of the emergency in the Mangystau Region.
After the deaths of the servicemen, a government commission was created, and Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozumbayev was sent to the site of the emergency.