A meeting of the government commission set up over the deaths of servicemen in the Caspian Sea was held in Aktau. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

According to the Mangystau region akimat, 12 people died during exercises at sea on 24 September. Rescuers are still searching for two more.

According to Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov, a criminal case was opened under Part 2 of Article 453 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Negligent attitude to service resulting in grave consequences") and Article 465 ("Violation of ship navigation rules"). An interdepartmental operational-investigative group has been set up as part of the investigation, and a number of investigative and operational-search measures are being carried out.

Relevant specialists have been involved in the work, and the necessary forensic examinations have been ordered.

Commission chairman Kanat Bozymbayev ordered that all circumstances of the incident be fully established within a short time and that appropriate measures be taken against those responsible for the tragic event.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to the families of the deceased servicemen. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the state would provide them with the necessary social and material support.

"In addition to the material assistance provided by law, many requests are coming in from citizens who want to help. Members of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan have stated that they will provide material assistance to the families of the deceased servicemen. One of them allocated 25 million tenge to the family of each deceased serviceman. A number of major business representatives have also expressed their intention to provide material assistance," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Kanat Bozymbayev instructed the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, together with the Mangystau region akimat, to monitor the transparency of all funds directed to the families of the deceased servicemen. He noted that assistance must be provided to the specific recipients in full.

According to Deputy Health Minister Manas Ramazanov, the condition of the serviceman taken to a medical facility after the incident is stable. His life is not in danger, and the necessary medical care is being provided.

The work of the government commission continues. 25 September was declared a day of national mourning.