Nine soldiers from Kazakhstan's military have been confirmed dead after 19 service members were swept out to sea during a naval training exercise in the country's western Mangystau region, authorities said.
The incident occurred in waters of the Caspian Sea off the coast of Mangystau. Details about the circumstances that led to the soldiers being swept into the sea, and the condition of the remaining personnel involved in the exercise, have not been disclosed.
Local and national agencies were reported to be responding to the event, but official statements providing further information on rescue efforts, casualties beyond the nine confirmed dead, or the identity of those involved were not immediately available.
The Mangystau region borders the Caspian Sea and is a site for Kazakhstan's naval activity. Officials have not yet released a timetable for any investigation into the incident, and further updates are expected as authorities gather more information.