Nine Kazakh Servicemen Confirmed Dead After Incident During Caspian Sea Naval Drills
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Nine servicemen of Kazakhstan have been confirmed dead following an incident during naval exercises in the Caspian Sea off the country’s Mangystau region, the Ministry of Defense said.
According to preliminary information released by the ministry, 19 servicemen were swept into the sea while carrying out a combat training mission during exercises conducted by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. The incident occurred after weather conditions deteriorated suddenly and strong winds developed.
The Ministry of Defense said that waves swept the servicemen into the sea as the weather conditions rapidly worsened.
Of the personnel involved, nine deaths have been confirmed, while three servicemen have been rescued. One of those rescued has been hospitalized, according to the ministry. Search efforts for the remaining servicemen are continuing.
A large-scale search-and-rescue operation has been launched at the site, involving units of the Naval Forces, personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, aviation assets and other relevant emergency services.
The ministry said that a commission headed by Defense Minister Lieutenant General of Aviation Dauren Kosanov has been dispatched to the scene. The commission is tasked with investigating the circumstances of the incident and coordinating ongoing rescue operations.
The Ministry of Defense expressed condolences to the families and relatives of the servicemen who lost their lives and pledged to provide the affected families with the necessary assistance and support.
Authorities said further information concerning the search-and-rescue operation and the condition of the rescued servicemen would be released as additional details become available.
