At least nine servicemen have died after being swept into the Caspian Sea during a military exercise in Kazakhstan. Three personnel have been rescued, while emergency teams continue searching for those still missing.
By Open Chronicle with agencies
September 24, 2026
At least nine servicemen have died following an accident during a naval exercise in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, after a sudden deterioration in weather conditions swept 19 military personnel into the Caspian Sea, according to the country’s Ministry of Defence.
The incident occurred during the Khazar Qorgany 2026 military exercises, which were taking place in the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry attributed the accident to an unexpected change in weather conditions, which reportedly caused the servicemen to be swept into the water.
Three personnel have been rescued, including one who required hospitalisation.
Search and rescue operations remain underway for the seven servicemen who are still missing.
Sudden weather changes during military exercise
According to the Ministry of Defence, the accident occurred when weather conditions deteriorated unexpectedly during the naval exercise.
A total of 19 servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea.
The ministry confirmed that nine military personnel had died and that three others had been rescued.
One of the rescued servicemen was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The authorities have not provided further details about the circumstances in which the personnel entered the water or the specific activities they were carrying out when the accident occurred.
The precise location of the incident within the exercise area has also not been disclosed.
Search and rescue operations continue
Emergency teams are continuing their efforts to locate the seven servicemen who remain missing.
The Ministry of Defence has not released further information about the progress of the search or the identities of those involved in the accident.
The condition of the two rescued personnel who did not require hospitalisation has not been detailed.
The authorities have also not announced whether an investigation has been opened into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Military exercise in Kazakhstan’s Caspian region
The accident took place during Khazar Qorgany 2026, a military exercise conducted in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, which borders the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.
The region is strategically important to Kazakhstan because of its maritime infrastructure, energy resources and access to the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan maintains naval forces in the Caspian region to protect its maritime interests and support national security operations.
The Defence Ministry has not provided additional information about the number of military personnel participating in the exercise or whether the remaining activities have been suspended following the accident.
Search and rescue efforts remain the immediate priority as authorities continue working to locate the missing servicemen.
Further information is expected from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defence as the operation progresses.