Fourteen Kazakh soldiers found dead in Caspian Sea after naval training

Kazakhstan declared a day of national mourning after one of the country’s deadliest military accidents in recent years.

Fourteen Kazakh soldiers found dead in Caspian Sea after naval training
Liberal News
Publish: 25.09.2026
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14 Kazakh Military Personnel Die After Being Swept Into Caspian Sea During Training Exercise

Fourteen military personnel have died after being swept into the Caspian Sea during a training exercise conducted by Kazakhstan’s Naval Forces in the Mangystau region.

The incident took place on 24 September as servicemen were disembarking from the Kaisar military vessel in water approximately one metre deep. According to Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry, strong winds and a sudden deterioration in weather conditions swept the personnel into the open sea.

Three servicemen were rescued. The military personnel who died were born between 2005 and 2007.

A large-scale search operation was launched following the incident, involving 252 personnel, including 37 military divers. Fourteen vessels and boats, along with aircraft and helicopters, also took part in the operation.

Tokayev declares national day of mourning

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared 25 September a day of mourning and expressed his condolences to the families of those who died.

Tokayev also ordered authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The accident has renewed attention to a previous deadly incident during military exercises in the Caspian Sea. In 2015, four servicemen died near Aktau after strong winds and waves flooded four armoured personnel carriers during exercises.

Investigation focuses on safety measures

A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev is investigating the incident at the scene.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said investigators had inspected the site, questioned more than 30 military personnel and seized documents and video footage.

Preliminary findings indicate that officials under investigation allegedly failed to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of personnel as weather conditions deteriorated.

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