On 24 September, service members were swept into the sea during a Navy exercise off the Mangystau coast. The Defence Ministry’s final count is 14 dead and three rescued out of 17 people. The task was taking place in the Caspian Sea; the ministry linked the incident to a sudden deterioration in the weather and stronger winds. Investigators must now establish how events unfolded and what decisions were made before people entered the water.
From preliminary figures to the end of the search
The Defence Ministry’s first figures were preliminary: 19 service members had been swept into the sea, nine had died and three had been rescued. The search was continuing, so the figures changed as the circumstances were established. The ministry’s final count was 17 people in the sea, 14 dead and three rescued.
One survivor was taken to hospital. At a 25 September government commission meeting, the deputy health minister said he had regained consciousness, his condition was stable and his life was not in danger.
Figures from the first hours described an interim search picture. The overall total should be the 17 people later confirmed by the Defence Ministry, not that figure added to earlier operational updates.
What is known about the circumstances
The Defence Ministry said the weather suddenly worsened and the wind strengthened during a training task, sweeping the service members out to sea.
Mentioning bad weather does not answer the central question: could the danger have been anticipated, and what was done when conditions changed? A clear account requires a sequence: what forecast was available before departure, who assessed the weather and when, who decided whether to continue or stop the task, what personal lifesaving equipment people had, and what assistance was on standby nearby.
The timeline after the alarm matters too: when the service members entered the water, when the alert was received, how long rescuers took to reach them and when people were found. Dispatching responders after an incident does not by itself show how ready help was beforehand. Public official updates have not yet provided a full minute-by-minute account.
The investigation: five suspects and unanswered questions
The Interior Ministry’s military investigation unit is handling the criminal case. The government commission said it was being investigated under Criminal Code Article 453(2), negligent performance of duty causing serious consequences, and Article 465, violation of navigation rules. These are the legal classifications under investigation, not a court finding.
On 25 September, five officials had been designated as suspects and placed in Aktau’s temporary detention facility: the Navy chief of staff and first deputy commander-in-chief, two military-unit commanders, and the marine company and boat commanders. Investigative steps and forensic examinations were continuing. Suspect status is not proof of guilt.
To explain the deaths, investigators need to establish more than the moment of the incident: how the task was prepared, how weather risks were assessed, what command decisions were made, whether the boat and lifesaving equipment were ready, and how rescue was organised. Until findings are published, there is no basis to assign responsibility to a particular person or reduce the cause to a single factor.
What has been promised to families, and what relatives can do
The government commission said statutory payments to bereaved families would be made without delay and that each family would have a designated specialist. According to the Mangystau administration on 26 September, the special fund had raised the required amount and the collection was closed; distribution to bereaved families and injured service members was due to begin soon. On the same day, the Defence Ministry said the minister had met bereaved families and assured them of assistance, help with arising issues, and ongoing contact. These are announced measures and commitments; they do not confirm that a particular family has received a payment or assistance.
If your loved one took part in the exercise, the overall count does not confirm their individual status. Use a known official contact for their unit or organisation and ask who is authorised to update the family. Write down the person’s name and role, the time of the conversation and the specific answer. If your loved one is in hospital, ask the medical organisation how to obtain information through its official process. Send documents and personal details only to an authorised recipient.
The Air Astana Group announced free domestic flights from 25 September through 3 October for close relatives of those killed or rescued, and for the survivors themselves. It defines close relatives as parents, spouses, children, and siblings; proof of relationship is required. Contact Air Astana on WhatsApp at +7 702 702 00 74. FlyArystan lists help@flyarystan.com, +7 727 331-10-10 and WhatsApp +7 702 702 0227. Confirm terms and availability with the airline.
What has changed since the tragedy – and what remains to be established
On 26 September, the President ordered a commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the Ministry of Defence, including the financial and material support provided to military units. The commission was instructed to report its initial findings within seven days. This is a separate review of the ministry; its findings have not yet been published and should not be confused with the criminal investigation.
On 27 September, Dauren Kosanov was relieved as defence minister and Aidos Sakenovich Myrzakhmetov was appointed to the post. The decree relieving Kosanov does not state the reason for the decision. The document itself does not establish that the minister’s departure was punishment for this tragedy.
That day, presidential decrees awarded all 17 service members who had been swept into the sea. The 14 who died were honoured posthumously: one with the 2nd Class Aibyn Order and 13 with the 3rd Class. The three rescued service members received the “Ерлігі үшін” (“For Courage”) Medal.
The Defence Ministry review, the criminal investigation and the awards are separate parts of the official response to the tragedy. But the change of minister and the awards do not, by themselves, explain how risk was assessed before the service members went to sea, who could change or stop the task, or how assistance was organised after the distress alert. The review and investigation have not yet reported their findings; only a court can determine individual guilt.
At the time of this update
As of 27 September, the search operation is complete and the criminal investigation is continuing. The commission established on 26 September is reviewing affairs at the Defence Ministry and must report initial findings within seven days. No court has issued a finding of individual guilt.