“We didn't know if our son was among them” – Father of Caspian survivor on the first hours after the tragedy
Nineteen-year-old Akzhol Temiraliyev is currently hospitalized. According to his father, Timur Kydyrniyazov, the young man was initially admitted to intensive care following the incident, but his condition has since improved.
"His condition is good now, thank God. He has been moved to a regular ward. His mother is with him. We also spoke with the leadership. They told us, 'You can stay with him; there will be no obstacles. As parents, you can be by his side 24/7.' There are no issues with that," said Timur Kydyrniyazov.
According to the father, when he was finally able to see his son on the evening of September 24, Akzhol was already conscious and talking. The father does not know the exact time his son regained consciousness, as other relatives had managed to visit the soldier before he arrived.
"When you hear the word 'intensive care,' of course, you get scared. You wonder what kind of state he's in. But when I saw him, he wasn't unconscious. I asked, 'Are you okay?' He replied, 'Thank God, everything is fine,'" the father recalled.
Timur Kydyrniyazov, father of the surviving soldier. Photo: Tengrinews.kz
"We found out through social media"
Timur Kydyrniyazov said that the family was not initially notified that Akzhol was among the survivors or that he had been taken to intensive care.
"No one called me. I found out from social media. At first, I didn't know for sure if it was my son. There was information that three soldiers were alive and one was in intensive care. Based on the age, I realized it was about our boys—young soldiers aged 19–20. But I didn't know if our son was specifically among them," he said.
The man was at work at the time. He left Zhanaozen and saw the published names of the soldiers while already on the road.
According to Timur Kydyrniyazov, the family was unable to get accurate information over the phone.
"While I was on the road, there was no concrete information. We only learned things from social media. We didn't even know who to call. You call the military unit—no one picks up. On the other hand, when something like this happens, perhaps they don't have the exact information themselves. I realized that if you want to find anything out, you have to go there yourself," the father said.
"The drills should not have been held"
Akzhol’s father also spoke about the conditions under which the exercises took place. He noted that the family was not aware beforehand that the soldiers would be participating in them.
"Given the weather, they should not have taken the soldiers out for drills. Regardless of the type of exercise, it shouldn't have been conducted in such conditions. Everything should have been planned for in advance. We weren't there, so we don't know exactly how it all happened. But personally, I believe the drills should not have taken place," Kydyrniyazov stated.
At the same time, the father has not yet asked his son for details about the incident. He said he is consciously avoiding questioning Akzhol about the tragedy.
"I'm not asking my son any unnecessary questions right now. His close friends, people he spent a year with, have died—he hears all of this himself. That's why I don't want to grill him about what happened. He knows and understands it all himself anyway," the man explained.
Akzhol Temiraliyev is 19 years old. According to his father, he was due to complete his service and return home in October.
It was previously reported that Akzhol managed to pull himself out of the water, after which he spent about half an hour searching for his friend. The soldier was the only one of the three survivors to be hospitalized.
Notably, Akzhol Temiraliyev was the only serviceman taken to the hospital after the incident. Today, September 25, he was moved from intensive care to a regular ward. It has been reported that psychologists are currently working with him.
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Tragedy on the Caspian Sea
On September 24, during naval exercises in the Mangistau Region, several servicemen were swept out into the Caspian Sea. They were performing training and combat missions on the Caspian coast when weather conditions suddenly deteriorated and winds intensified.
Initial reports stated that 19 servicemen were swept out to sea. The Mangistau Region Akimat later clarified the figure to 17 people.
It was previously reported that 12 people have died, three people were rescued. One of the survivors is currently hospitalized.
Caspian tragedy: bodies of two more servicemen found
A government commission has been created to investigate the tragedy. It is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev. The commission is to establish the causes of the tragedy and assist the families of the deceased.
A pre-trial investigation has been launched into the deaths of the servicemen, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported. Investigators are establishing all the circumstances of what happened.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the servicemen who died. On September 25, the Head of State declared a day of mourning.
The Ministry of Defense has announced the conclusion of the search operation in the Caspian Sea waters.