Kazakhstan Military Exercise Accident Leaves 12 Servicemen Dead, Two Still Missing

ASTANA, September 25, 2026— At least 12 Kazakh servicemen have died after being swept into the Caspian Sea during a military exercise in Kazakhstan’s western Mangystau region, authorities said. Two other servicemen remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The accident occurred on September 24 while the servicemen were carrying out a combat training mission along the Caspian coast. Authorities said weather conditions deteriorated suddenly and strong winds caused personnel to be swept into the sea.

17 Servicemen Swept Into the Sea

According to the latest information released by the Mangystau regional administration, 17 servicemen were swept into the water during the incident.

Twelve have since been confirmed dead, three were rescued, and two remain unaccounted for. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, who is leading the government commission investigating the accident, ordered authorities to continue searching for the missing personnel around the clock.

Earlier reports had put the death toll at nine, but the number rose to 12 as the search operation progressed.

The Defense Ministry later released the names of the 12 servicemen who died in the accident and expressed condolences to their families and relatives.

Accident Occurred During Naval Exercises

The incident took place during theKhazar Qorgany–2026naval exercises, which began on September 22 in Kazakhstan’s sector of the Caspian Sea.

More than 500 military personnel were taking part in the exercises, alongside naval ships and boats, hydrographic vessels, Coast Guard units of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee Border Service, and aircraft from the country’s Air Defense Forces.

The exercises were designed to train military personnel in a range of maritime and combat-related tasks.

According to Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry, the accident happened while troops were carrying out a training and combat mission. A sudden deterioration in weather and strengthening winds resulted in servicemen being swept into the sea.

Criminal Investigation Underway

Kazakh authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the deaths.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said an investigative team involving personnel from the Interior Ministry, Emergency Situations Ministry and prosecutors had been established. Investigators are carrying out a range of procedures and forensic examinations to determine the full circumstances of the incident.

A separate government commission has also been established to investigate the causes of the tragedy. The commission is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, who was ordered to travel to the scene and coordinate the investigation and assistance to the victims’ families.

Authorities have so far identified the sudden deterioration in weather and strengthening winds as the immediate circumstances surrounding the accident. However, the full sequence of events and any potential responsibility remain subject to investigation.

Kazakhstan Declares National Day of Mourning

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed condolences to the families and relatives of the servicemen who died and instructed authorities to establish all the circumstances of the accident and provide assistance to the victims’ families.

Kazakhstan has declaredSeptember 25 a national day of mourningfollowing the deaths.

Public events in the city of Aktau were also cancelled following the tragedy, according to Kazakh official media.

The Defense Ministry said the deaths represented a heavy loss not only for the servicemen’s families and colleagues, but for the country as a whole.

Search for Two Missing Servicemen Continues

Search and rescue teams remain focused on locating the two servicemen who are still missing.

The government commission has ordered the deployment of the necessary personnel and technical equipment to continue the search. Authorities are also coordinating the work of multiple government agencies involved in the rescue operation and investigation.

The accident has drawn attention to the risks associated with military exercises conducted in rapidly changing maritime weather conditions. The Caspian Sea can experience sudden changes in wind and sea conditions, making weather monitoring, operational risk assessment and emergency response particularly important during coastal and naval training.

Investigation Expected to Determine Full Circumstances

The tragedy has prompted Kazakhstan to launch both an administrative investigation and criminal proceedings.

While authorities have identified deteriorating weather and strengthening winds as key factors, the investigation will need to establish how the training operation unfolded, what safety measures were in place, and whether additional factors contributed to the deaths.

For now, the immediate priorities remain locating the two missing servicemen, supporting the families of those who died and completing the investigation.

The September 24 accident is one of the most serious incidents involving Kazakhstan’s armed forces in recent years, with12 servicemen confirmed dead, three rescued and two still missing. The final conclusions regarding the cause of the accident and possible responsibility will depend on the results of the ongoing investigation.