An incident has occurred on the Caspian Sea coast during naval exercises in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region.

Operativ Media reports, citing Kazinform.

According to the report, weather conditions deteriorated sharply while servicemen were performing a combat training mission during exercises conducted by the Navy of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea coast.

"During the exercises conducted by the Navy of the Armed Forces on the Caspian Sea coast, the servicemen were thrown into the sea due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds. According to preliminary data, 19 servicemen were thrown into the sea. Nine servicemen have been confirmed dead, three were rescued, and one has been hospitalized. The search for the remaining personnel is ongoing," the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan said.

The search and rescue operation is ongoing.