Kazakhstan has lowered the national flags on government and administrative buildings as the country observes a nationwide day of mourning for servicemen who died during military exercises in the Caspian Sea.
Under an order signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, September 25 was declared a nationwide day of mourning following the deaths of military personnel in the Mangystau region. The country’s Culture and Information Ministry instructed state institutions and media organisations to observe restrictions associated with the mourning day.
Entertainment events across Kazakhstan have been cancelled or postponed. Television channels have also removed entertainment programmes from their schedules and replaced them with informational and special broadcasts.
The national flag was lowered on a flagpole more than 100 meters high in central Astana.
The incident occurred on September 24 during military exercises in the Mangystau region, when servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea following a sudden deterioration in weather conditions and stronger winds.
According to the figures provided in the report, 17 servicemen were swept into the sea. Fourteen died and three were rescued.
The search-and-rescue operation has since been completed, with the bodies of the final two missing servicemen recovered on September 25. Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry said the bodies of Sergeant Mansur Gumarov and sailor Miras Turdybekuly were found at around 9:15 a.m.
Kazakh authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy. A government commission has also been established to determine what happened during the military exercises.
By Tamilla Hasanova
Source: caliber.az
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