Kazakhstan ends search for missing sailors after death toll from training accident reaches 14

Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry has ended search operations for missing servicemen after two more bodies were recovered from the Caspian Sea, raising the death toll from a training exercise accident to 14, authorities said Friday.

The accident occurred Thursday in the western Mangystau region during the Khazar Qorgany 2026 naval exercises, when 19 servicemen were swept into the sea after weather conditions deteriorated sharply and winds intensified, according to the Defence Ministry.

Three servicemen were rescued, while a search operation was launched for those who remained missing. The ministry had earlier reported that 12 servicemen had died before the latest recoveries.

More than 250 personnel, military divers, vessels and aircraft were deployed in the search, which covered the Caspian Sea, coastline and surrounding areas, Kazakhstan’s Qazinform news agency reported.

The naval exercises began Sept. 22 and involved more than 500 military personnel, naval and hydrographic vessels, border guards and air defence forces, according to The Astana Times.

A government commission has been investigating the incident, while criminal cases have also been opened over the deaths, authorities said. Friday was declared a national day of mourning.