Kazakhstan arrests 5 military officers after 14 die during naval exercise
Authorities in Kazakhstan have arrested five Defence Ministry officials including the first deputy navy commander, a day after 14 servicemen were swept out to sea and died during a training exercise, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.
Authorities in Kazakhstan have detained five senior military officials following the tragic death of 14 servicemen during a naval training exercise. The Interior Ministry announced the arrests, which took place on Friday, just a day after the incident occurred on Thursday. The officials detained include the first deputy navy commander.
The incident took place on the Caspian Sea coast when military personnel were disembarking from a patrol boat in rough weather conditions. Three other individuals were rescued after being thrown into the water. The five senior officials are being held on suspicion of negligence and violations of navigation rules.
Investigators are now examining the actions of those arrested, their compliance with safety protocols, and whether they adequately considered the weather conditions and the technical condition of the boat. Kazakhstan possesses a modest navy of approximately 3,000 personnel operating on the Caspian Sea, comprising patrol and missile boats aimed at safeguarding its maritime border and offshore energy assets.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared Friday a nationwide day of mourning in response to the tragedy that unfolded in the Central Asian nation.
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