Nine Kazakh servicemen have been confirmed dead after being swept into the Caspian Sea during a naval military exercise, Kazakhstan’s defence ministry said on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the southwestern Mangystau region while the servicemen were carrying out a combat training mission.
The ministry said weather conditions suddenly deteriorated, with strong winds making the situation more dangerous.
According to preliminary information, 19 servicemen were swept out to sea.
Three were rescued, while search and rescue teams continued efforts to locate the remaining personnel.
Defence minister leads emergency response
A commission headed by Defence Minister Dauren Kosanov was urgently sent to the site to determine the circumstances of the incident and coordinate the ongoing rescue operation.
The defence ministry said further information on the search effort and the condition of the servicemen would be released as details are received and verified.
The incident comes as Kazakhstan’s armed forces conduct regular exercises designed to train personnel for maritime and other military operations in the Caspian region.
