Fourteen conscripts die in Caspian Sea tragedy; six officials detained

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has provided an update on the pre-trial investigation into a Caspian Sea tragedy in which 14 conscripts died. In a statement to NUR.KZ, the ministry’s press service said an inter-agency operational investigative group led by the military investigation department is continuing the pre-trial probe. The incident took place in Aktau.

The investigation is being conducted under Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code articles on “negligent attitude to service” and “violation of navigation rules.” With court sanction, six officials responsible for organising and conducting the naval exercises have been placed in custody as a preventive measure.

The ministry said the involvement of other officials is also being checked. Based on the results of the pre-trial investigation, the actions of all officials involved in planning, organising and conducting the naval exercises will receive a proper legal assessment under Kazakh law. The press service stressed that other pre-trial investigation details will not be disclosed.