Five officials of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense have been detained in connection with the deaths of military personnel during exercises off the coast of the Mangystau region in the Caspian Sea.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports, citing Kazakh media, that the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs made the announcement.
“Those detained include the first deputy commander and chief of staff of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, two military unit commanders, and the commanders of a marine infantry company and a boat. All of them have been designated as suspects and placed in the temporary detention facility of the Aktau city police department,” the statement said.
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Investigators have identified officials suspected of involvement in the deaths of Kazakh servicemen during exercises in the Caspian Sea in the Mangystau region.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports this, citing the press service of Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office.
“Officials suspected of negligent performance of their duties have been identified. They failed to ensure oversight and take the necessary measures to protect personnel in view of the weather conditions, did not properly organize rescue operations, and thereby caused the deaths,” the statement said.
The agency also said that investigators had inspected the scene, questioned more than 30 servicemen, seized documents and video materials, and ordered 12 examinations.
“The investigation will provide a comprehensive legal assessment and take procedural measures against all suspects,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
It was previously reported that servicemen were swept away during exercises in the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan after weather conditions sharply deteriorated, leaving 12 people dead. According to updated information, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea while carrying out a combat training mission. Three people were rescued, while the search for two others is continuing.
A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was established to determine the causes of the incident. The commission was instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of the servicemen and provide assistance to the families of those killed.
The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water, is known for rapidly changing weather conditions, which can create serious risks for maritime training and rescue operations.
