Kazakhstan detains five defence officials over Caspian Sea deaths VIDEO

Kazakhstan has detained five Defence Ministry officials in connection with the deaths of military personnel during the “Khazar Qorğany — 2026” exercises in the Caspian Sea, Kazinform reports.

Those detained include the First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces and Chief of Staff, the commanders of two military units, a marine company commander and the commander of the “Kaisar” patrol boat. All five have been placed in the temporary detention centre of the Aktau Police Department.

The Military Investigation Department of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is investigating the case on grounds of negligence and violations of vessel navigation regulations. The investigation is being conducted under the special supervision of the Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The tragedy occurred on September 24 during exercises conducted by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan in the Mangystau Region. While servicemen were carrying out a combat training mission on the Caspian coast, weather conditions deteriorated sharply, and winds intensified, sweeping personnel into the sea.

Regional authorities later said that 17 servicemen had been swept into the water. Fourteen were reported to have died, while three were rescued.

By Tamilla Hasanova