12 Kazakh servicemen killed after being swept into Caspian Sea

ASTANA, Sept 24: Twelve Kazakh servicemen have died after being swept into the Caspian Sea during a naval military exercise in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region, authorities said Thursday.

According to the administration of the Caspian Mangystau Region, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea while carrying out a combat training task after a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds. Three servicemen were rescued, while the search for two others remains underway.

Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry had earlier reported that servicemen were swept into the sea while carrying out a combat training mission in the southwestern Mangystau region. The ministry initially said 19 servicemen had been swept into the sea, with three rescued and search-and-rescue operations continuing for the others.

A commission led by Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov was urgently dispatched to the scene to determine the circumstances of the incident and coordinate the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.

Authorities said further information on the search operation and the condition of the servicemen would be released as details are received and verified.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared September 25 a national day of mourning to honor the servicemen who died in the incident.