Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and expressed condolences over the tragedy in Mangystau. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
“Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, please accept my deep condolences over the tragic incident during the exercises of the Naval Forces of Kazakhstan in the Caspian Sea. I ask you to convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families of the deceased servicemen. Russia shares their pain and sorrow,” Putin said.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that a meeting of the Government Commission established over the deaths of servicemen during military exercises in the Mangystau Region had been held.
As Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov reported, a criminal case was opened under Part 2 of Article 453 (“Negligent attitude to service, entailing grave consequences”) and Article 465 (“Violation of the rules of navigation”) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The tragedy in the Caspian Sea occurred on September 24 during exercises. In bad weather, 17 servicemen were carried out to sea. Twelve died, three were rescued, and the search for two others continues.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan opened a criminal case over the deaths of the servicemen.
Earlier, the country’s Ministry of Defense published the full list of the names of the deceased military personnel.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered assistance to the families of the deceased and declared September 25 a day of national mourning.