Following the tragic loss of service members during military exercises in the Mangistau Region on 24 September 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed condolences to their families and loved ones.
The President has also declared a national day of mourning on 25 September following the tragedy.
19 service members were swept into the Caspian Sea during military exercises on September 24.
The Ministry of Defence issued a statement:
It is with deep sorrow that we report that on September 24, during exercises of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Mangistau Region, service members were swept out to sea while performing a combat training mission on the Caspian coast due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.
Nine fatalities have been confirmed. Three servicemen were rescued, and efforts to locate and rescue the remaining personnel are continuing after rescuers were immediately dispatched. Units from the Navy, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, aviation, and other relevant services are actively involved.
A Ministry of Defence commission, led by Minister Dauren Kosanov, is working at the location of the tragedy to coordinate rescue efforts. They are also trying to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
A government commission has also been formed to lead this investigation, with official sources stating:
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has instructed commission chair Kanat Bozumbayev to proceed immediately to the site of the incident to launch a comprehensive investigation into the deaths and provide support to the victims’ families
The Ministry issued a further statement:
The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan expresses its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased service members. All necessary assistance and support will be provided to their families. Additional information regarding the progress of the search operation and the condition of the service members will be provided as data is received and confirmed. We ask that you rely exclusively on official information from the Ministry of Defence and other government agencies.
