On September 24, in the Mangystau Region, 43 kilometers from Aktau, a tragedy occurred during exercises of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: 19 service members were swept into the Caspian Sea. This was reported by the website infohub.kz, citing the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to the defense ministry, the service members were carrying out a training-combat task on the coast of the Caspian Sea when a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds swept them into the sea.
According to preliminary data, 19 service members ended up in the sea. Nine deaths have been confirmed so far.
Three service members were rescued, one of whom was hospitalized. The search for the others continues. Rescue services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Naval Forces units, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, aviation, and other relevant services are involved in the search and rescue operation.
A Ministry of Defense commission led by Defense Minister Lieutenant General of Aviation Dauren Kosanov urgently traveled to the scene to establish all circumstances of the incident and coordinate search and rescue efforts.
The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan expressed deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased service members. All necessary assistance and support will be provided to the families of the deceased.
Additional information on the progress of the search operation and the condition of the service members will be provided as data arrives and is confirmed.
The Ministry of Defense urged the public to rely solely on official information from the defense ministry and other government agencies.