Astana (GNP): Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared 25 September a National Day of Mourning following the deaths of servicemen who lost their lives in the line of duty in the Mangystau Region.
Twelve Kazakh servicemen died after being swept into the Caspian Sea during the Khazar Qorgany-2026 naval exercises on Thursday, after weather conditions suddenly deteriorated and winds intensified during a combat training mission.
The Ministry of Defence said in a Telegram post that 19 servicemen had been swept into the sea, of whom three have been rescued, one hospitalised, while 14 bodies have since been recovered.
Search operations are continuing for the remaining four servicemen, with a large-scale rescue and recovery effort under way involving Kazakhstan’s Naval Forces, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, aviation assets and other relevant services.
Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, who is leading a government commission at the scene, has ordered a continuous, round-the-clock search for those still missing, while authorities have been instructed to provide financial and other assistance to the families of the deceased.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a criminal case into the deaths, with an investigative team formed from officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Prosecutor’s Office, and forensic examinations ordered.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has separately ordered the establishment of a government commission to determine the circumstances of the incident.
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The Khazar Qorgany-2026 exercises began on 22 September in Kazakhstan’s sector of the Caspian Sea, involving more than 500 military personnel alongside naval ships and boats, hydrographic vessels, Border Service units of the National Security Committee, and Air Defence Forces aircraft.
The drills included joint manoeuvres, search-and-rescue exercises and training for responses to different threats, before conditions turned fatal for the servicemen involved.
The Defence Ministry has released the names of the 14 servicemen whose bodies have been recovered and expressed condolences to their families.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s office said, “September 25, 2026, has been declared a National Day of Mourning in Kazakhstan following the deaths of servicemen who lost their lives in the line of duty.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
