Fourteen Kazakh soldiers found dead in sea after naval training

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1. 1h ago

   Kazakhstan Mourns 14 Soldiers Lost in Caspian Sea Disaster

   Fourteen Kazakh military personnel lost their lives after being washed out to sea during naval training exercises in the Caspian Sea. The tragedy stands as one of the deadliest military accidents in Kazakhstan in recent years, prompting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to declare a day of national mourning. In the wake of the disaster, the government detained senior Kazakh officials and senior officers, including generals, amid accusations of unprofessionalism. President Tokayev also established a special commission to comprehensively inspect the Defense Ministry.

   Why it matters

   The disaster has triggered immediate political fallout at the highest levels of the Kazakh government, resulting in the dismissal of Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov. International allies, including Türkiye and the Organization of Turkic States Secretariat, expressed solidarity by lowering flags to half-mast and offering condolences.

   What is confirmed

   • Fourteen Kazakh soldiers were found dead in the sea following naval training exercises in the Caspian Sea.
   • President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov following the drill deaths.
   • Kazakhstan declared a day of national mourning after the military accident.
   • President Tokayev established a commission to comprehensively inspect the Defense Ministry.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Senior Kazakh officials and generals were detained after 14 service members were swept out to sea.

   What to watch next

   • Findings and disciplinary actions from the commission inspecting the Defense Ministry
   • Further legal proceedings concerning detained senior Kazakh officials and military officers
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. Reuters — Twelve Kazakh military personnel die after being washed out to sea during exercises
   2. The Jerusalem Post — Nine Kazakh soldiers killed, seven missing in Caspian Sea naval disaster
   3. Euronews.com — Fourteen Kazakh soldiers found dead in sea after naval training
   4. Türk Devletleri Teşkilatı — Flags at the OTS Secretariat Lowered to Half-Mast in Solidarity with Kazakhstan
   5. BBC — Senior Kazakh officials detained after 14 service members swept out to sea
   6. Qazinform — Our nation once again demonstrates unity and cohesion — Erlan Karin
   7. dailysabah.com — Türkiye offers condolences as Kazakhstan exercise death toll hits 14 | Daily Sabah
   8. Eurasianet — Caspian naval exercise ends in tragedy: 14 Kazakh sailors dead
   9. Qazinform — President Tokayev establishes commission to comprehensively inspect Defense Ministry
   10. jen.jiji.com — Kazakh weightlifter sets world record, wins Asian Games silver
   11. Zamin.uz — Kazakhstan's President immediately dismisses Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov!
   12. www.euronews.com — Fourteen Kazakh soldiers found dead in Caspian Sea after naval training
   confidence 95%