BAKU, Azerbaijan,
September 24. By the decree, Kazakhstan's
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared September 25 a day of
national mourning following the deaths of servicemen during naval
exercises in the Mangystau region, press service of the Kazakh
president reports.
The incident occurred on September 24 during a training mission
conducted by the Naval Forces of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces on the
Caspian Sea coast. According to preliminary information from
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense, 19 servicemen were swept into the
sea after weather conditions deteriorated sharply and strong winds
intensified.
The deaths of nine servicemen have been confirmed. Three
servicemen were rescued, one of whom was hospitalized, while search
and rescue operations for the remaining personnel are
continuing.
Rescue teams and equipment were dispatched to the scene
immediately. Units of the Naval Forces, the Ministry of Emergency
Situations, aviation and other relevant services are taking part in
the operation.
A government commission has been established to investigate the
circumstances and causes of the incident. The commission was formed
by order of Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and
includes the Minister of Defense, representatives of the Mangystau
regional administration, senior officials from the ministries
responsible for labor and social protection, emergency situations,
healthcare and transport, as well as the Chief Military Prosecutor
and representatives of the Border Service.
The commission has been instructed to establish the causes of
the servicemen’s deaths and ensure the necessary support for their
families.
