9 Kazakh servicemen confirmed dead after being swept out to sea during naval exercise

The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the servicemen died while carrying out a combat training mission in the country’s southwestern Mangystau region, with the incident occurring following a “sudden deterioration in weather conditions and intensifying winds,” according to Anadolu Agency.

Kazakhstan said on Thursday that nine of its servicemen were confirmed dead after being swept out to sea during a naval military exercise in the Caspian Sea.

“According to preliminary information, 19 servicemen were swept out to sea,” the statement said, noting that three servicemen were rescued and that search and rescue efforts for the remaining personnel are underway.

A commission led by Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov was urgently deployed to the site to establish the circumstances behind the incident and coordinate search and rescue efforts, it added.

“Further information regarding the progress of the search operation and the condition of the servicemen will be released as data is received and verified,” it added.

Stabil.Az