Key facts
- Twelve Kazakh military personnel died after being swept out to sea during a naval training exercise.
- The incident occurred in the western Mangistau region due to sudden deterioration of weather conditions and strengthened winds.
- Nineteen servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea.
- Three servicemen were rescued, with one hospitalized.
- A search is ongoing for the remaining missing personnel.
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a nationwide day of mourning for Friday.
Twelve Kazakh military personnel have died after being swept into the Caspian Sea during a naval training exercise in the western Mangistau region. The incident occurred amid a sharp deterioration in weather conditions, with strong winds and intensified waves.
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Defense, 19 servicemen were involved in the exercise when the adverse weather conditions led to them being swept into the sea. Of the 19, twelve have died, while three were rescued, including one who required hospitalization. Rescue teams and relevant services, including aviation, have been deployed to search for any remaining missing personnel.
A commission from the Ministry of Defense, led by Defense Minister Lieutenant General of Aviation Dauren Kosanov, has been dispatched to the scene to establish the full circumstances surrounding the event. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a nationwide day of mourning for Friday following the incident.