Kazakhstan's Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov traveled to the Mangystau region to meet the families of four conscripts killed during exercises on the Caspian Sea. He expressed condolences to the relatives and promised them comprehensive support. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

"For us, these are not just servicemen – they are our comrades-in-arms, sons and brothers. Their death is a heavy loss for the entire Armed Forces. We mourn together with their relatives and loved ones and will be by their side in this difficult time," Kosanov said.

The minister met with the relatives of Meirambek Berdikhanov, Azamat Madikhan, Dastan Begei and Miras Turdybekuly. The first three were called up for compulsory service from Zhanaozen, Miras from the village of Zhetibai. The Defense Ministry said that during their service they proved to be responsible and disciplined servicemen.

Kosanov assured the families that the ministry would provide them with the necessary assistance and would help resolve any emerging issues.

On September 24, during exercises on the Caspian Sea, 17 servicemen were carried out into the open sea. 14 people died, three were rescued. On the morning of September 25, the bodies of the last two missing were found — Sergeant Mansur Gumarov and sailor Miras Turdybekuly. After that, the search operation was completed.

September 25 was declared a day of national mourning.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote that five officers of Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry had been detained in the case of the sailors' deaths. The criminal case, opened under articles on negligence and violation of navigation rules, is under special supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office. A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was created to determine the causes of the emergency. The deputy prime minister promised that the families of the sailors who died during the exercises on the Caspian Sea would receive all due payments without delay.

The day before, the families of the victims were given telegrams of condolences from the president.