The Aporia
The Aporia
The Straits Times. (2026, September 24). Twelve Kazakhstan military personnel die after being washed out to sea during exercises. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/twelve-kazakhstan-military-personnel-die-after-being-washed-out-to-sea-during-exercises
The Straits Times. “Twelve Kazakhstan military personnel die after being washed out to sea during exercises.” The Straits Times, 24 Sept. 2026, https://www.straitstimes.com/world/twelve-kazakhstan-military-personnel-die-after-being-washed-out-to-sea-during-exercises.
The Straits Times. “Twelve Kazakhstan military personnel die after being washed out to sea during exercises.” The Straits Times, September 24, 2026. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/twelve-kazakhstan-military-personnel-die-after-being-washed-out-to-sea-during-exercises.
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On September 24, 12 Kazakh military personnel died after being swept out to sea during a naval training drill in Mangistau region. The incident involved 17 people total; while three were rescued, the search for two missing servicemen continued. Weather conditions rapidly deteriorated and winds strengthened unexpectedly. In response, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared September 25 as a nationwide day of mourning.
Following this tragedy, five senior military officials were detained on charges of criminal negligence. These included the chief of staff and first deputy commander of Kazakhstan's Naval Forces, two unit commanders, and commanders of a marine company and a boat involved in the exercise near Aktau city. The incident occurred about 43km from Aktau in southwestern Kazakstan. An interior ministry committee was established to investigate the decisions leading up to and during the drill, focusing on safety requirements and weather conditions.
