Kazakhstan is mourning the deaths of 14 servicemen following a military training accident in the Caspian Sea.
The incident occurred on September 24 during a combat training mission in the Mangystau region, when 17 servicemen were swept into the open sea.
Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry said the accident occurred after weather conditions suddenly deteriorated and winds intensified.

Three servicemen were rescued. Authorities initially reported 12 fatalities while search teams continued looking for two missing soldiers. Their bodies were recovered on the morning of September 25, bringing the final death toll to 14 and ending the search-and-rescue operation.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared September 25 a national day of mourning for the servicemen who lost their lives. The Defense Ministry said the families of the victims would receive comprehensive financial and psychological assistance.

Kazakh authorities have also launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including whether negligence or failures to ensure the safety of the servicemen contributed to the deaths.

Condolences also came from Türkiye. AK Party Deputy Chairman Kürşad Zorlu expressed solidarity with Kazakhstan in a message issued while the reported death toll still stood at 12, stressing the close ties and solidarity between Türkiye and Kazakhstan during difficult times.