17 servicemen swept into Caspian Sea during military exercises in Kazakhstan. 14 died, most of them conscripts.

Source: Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry

Seventeen servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea during naval exercises in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region. Fourteen of them died, Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry said.

The servicemen were conducting coastal training exercises on September 24 when a sudden, sharp deterioration in weather swept all 17 out into open sea, the ministry said.

The search ended on the morning of September 25. Three servicemen were rescued, and one of the injured was taken to the hospital. Among the dead were a senior lieutenant, a sergeant, and 12 conscript sailors.

Kazakhstan created a government commission to investigate the incident and help the families of the dead. A criminal case has been opened on charges of negligence in the performance of duty and violation of navigation rules. Kazakhstan declared September 25 a day of mourning for the dead.

Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry announced on September 22 that military exercises called “Defense of the Caspian-2026” had begun “in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea.” More than 500 servicemen, warships, and coastal units of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces took part.

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17 servicemen swept into Caspian Sea during military exercises in Kazakhstan. 14 died, most of them conscripts.

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