President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqaev has declared a nationwide day of mourning following the deaths of servicemen during exercises in the Mangystau Region. The presidential decree was published by the Akorda, according to infohub.kz.
Under the presidential decree, September 25, 2026, has been declared a national day of mourning in the Republic of Kazakhstan in connection with the deaths of servicemen killed in the line of duty.
The tragedy occurred on September 24 in the Mangystau Region. During exercises by 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, weather conditions deteriorated sharply and winds intensified, sweeping the servicemen out to sea.
According to preliminary information from the Ministry of Defense, 19 servicemen were carried out to sea. Nine deaths have been confirmed so far.
The Prosecutor General's Office said a criminal case has been opened and is under investigation into the deaths of the servicemen during the exercises at the Aktau garrison.
Blogger Azamat Sarsenbaev from Aktau published video from the scene of the emergency in the Mangystau Region.
A government commission was set up after the deaths, and Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was dispatched to the site of the emergency.
President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev expressed his condolences over the deaths of the servicemen in the Mangystau Region and issued instructions for an investigation into the tragedy.
Festive events marking City Day have been canceled in Aktau.