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The death toll from an incident in Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea region, where 17 servicemen were swept out to sea during a military exercise, rose to 14, the Defense Ministry said Friday.
The ministry said it had concluded search and rescue efforts after recovering the bodies of two more servicemen Friday morning.
“Three of them were rescued, while 14 military personnel lost their lives,” the ministry said on Telegram.
“The leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan extend their deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased servicemen,” it said.
“The families of the fallen will receive all necessary comprehensive, financial and psychological support,” it added.
The incident occurred Thursday in the country’s western Mangystau region on the Caspian coast during a combat training exercise.
The Defense Ministry said 17 servicemen were swept out to sea “due to a sudden deterioration in weather conditions and intensifying winds.”
A commission led by Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov was urgently deployed to the site to establish the circumstances of the incident.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered a government commission to investigate the accident, while a criminal investigation was also opened.
Tokayev declared Friday a national day of mourning.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz issued a message of condolence for the soldiers killed during the military exercise.
“I sincerely share the pain of the soldiers who were martyred in the tragic incident that occurred during the military exercise held in the Caspian Sea in friendly and brotherly Kazakhstan,” Yilmaz said on social media.
“I wish Allah’s mercy upon the soldiers who lost their lives, and patience and condolences to their families, relatives and the brotherly people of Kazakhstan,” he added.
Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also expressed condolences over the accident.
“I was deeply saddened by the loss of soldiers’ lives as a result of the tragic accident that occurred during the military exercise held in the Caspian Sea in brotherly Kazakhstan,” Duran said on NSosyal.
“I wish Allah’s mercy upon the martyred soldiers, and patience and condolences to their grieving families and the brotherly people of Kazakhstan,” he added.
“On this painful day, we stand with friendly and brotherly Kazakhstan. May our condolences be accepted,” Duran said.
Ruling Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, Deputy Chairman and spokesperson Omer Celik also issued a message of condolence.
Celik said they learned with deep sorrow about the accident during the military exercise in the Caspian Sea.
“We wish Allah’s mercy upon the soldiers who lost their lives, and extend our condolences to their families, relatives and the friendly and brotherly people of Kazakhstan,” Celik said.
He added that Türkiye deeply shares Kazakhstan’s pain on its national day of mourning.
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