Kazakhstan detains navy chief of staff after 14 sailors perish in Caspian Sea tragedy

Kazakh naval forces performed search and rescue operations on the evening of September 24 after the sailors were swept to sea during maritime exercises on the Caspian. Fourteen of 17 died. / Ministry of Defence, KazakhstanFacebook

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By Ben Aris in Berlin September 25, 2026

Authorities in Kazakhstan on September 25 arrested five defence ministry officials including the first deputy ‌commander and chief of staff of the naval forces, one day after 14 of 17 servicemen who were swept out to sea died during a training exercise.

​The Interior Ministry announced the arrests, with those detained taken into custody on suspicion of negligence ​and violations of navigation rules.

Among the dead were a senior lieutenant, a sergeant and 12 conscript sailors, Meduza reported.

Military personnel who were ⁠disembarking from a patrol boat on ​the Caspian Sea coast in Mangystau Region got into difficulties in rough weather after a sudden deterioration in conditions, the authorities said. The three who survived were thrown into the water and were rescued.

Investigators are assessing the decisions taken ‌by ⁠those arrested and planned to examine the technical condition of the boat. They will look at whether there was adherence to safety rules and proper consideration of weather conditions.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared ⁠that September 25 would be a nationwide ​day of mourning.

Tokayev said a government commission would investigate the tragedy.

Others arrested included two military unit commanders, a marine infantry company commander and the commander of the Qaisar boat that the men were disembarking from, Trend reported.

“Those whose actions or inaction led to this tragedy will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said, according to The Astana Times. The families of the dead will receive financial assistance on top of statutory payments.

The search for survivors, led by Defence Minister Dauren Kosanov, involved 252 personnel, 37 military divers, 14 vessels and more than 20 aircraft at its peak.

The servicemen were taking part in the "Defence of the Caspian-2026" exercise, which the Defence Ministry said on September 22 involved more than 500 servicemen, warships and coastal units.

Kazakhstan’s small navy amounts to around 3,000 personnel based on ​the Caspian Sea with patrol and ​missile ⁠boats, according to Reuters. The navy protects the country’s maritime border and offshore energy assets.