Nine Kazakh servicemen die after storm sweeps them into Caspian Sea

Nine Kazakh servicemen died after 19 personnel were swept into the Caspian Sea during a naval training exercise in the Mangystau region on September 24, 2026, Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry and Ministry of Emergency Situations said. Three servicemen were rescued, including one who was hospitalized, while search efforts continued for the remaining seven. Officials said the servicemen were carrying out a training and combat task on the Caspian Sea coast when a sharp deterioration in weather and strengthening winds swept them into the sea. Rescue forces and equipment were sent immediately; the Naval Forces, Ministry of Emergency Situations, aviation and other services took part in the search-and-rescue operation. A Ministry of Defense commission headed by Defense Minister Lieutenant General of Aviation Dauren Kosanov urgently traveled to the scene to establish the circumstances and coordinate operations. The ministry said further information on the search and the servicemen's condition would be released as data was received and verified.