Friday, September 24, 2026 - Nine Kazakh servicemen have been killed and seven remain missing after strong winds swept 19 military personnel into the Caspian Sea during a naval training exercise on September 24.
The accident occurred in Kazakhstan’s western Mangystau region after weather conditions deteriorated sharply. Three servicemen were rescued, with one taken to hospital, while military vessels, aircraft and emergency teams launched a search for those still missing.
The incident happened during the Khazar Korgany-2026 military exercises, which began on September 22 and involved more than 500 Navy personnel, including warship crews, Coast Guard and air-defence units.
Kazakhstan’s Defence Minister Dauren Kosanov travelled to the area with a task force to oversee the rescue operation. Authorities have also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The search for the seven missing servicemen remains the immediate priority as rescue teams continue operations in the Caspian Sea.
The Defence Ministry is investigating how rapidly changing weather conditions led to the personnel being swept into the water, while officials work to establish the full circumstances of the tragedy. The incident has brought the ongoing naval exercises into sharp focus as Kazakhstan continues efforts to account for every missing serviceman.
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