Ankara:Nine Kazakh servicemen have been confirmed dead after being swept out to sea during a naval military exercise in the Caspian Sea.

According to Anadolu Agency, the incident occurred during a combat training mission in the country's southwestern Mangystau region. The Defense Ministry reported that the servicemen were caught off guard by a sudden deterioration in weather conditions and intensifying winds.

Preliminary information indicates that 19 servicemen were swept out to sea, with three individuals successfully rescued. Search and rescue operations for the remaining personnel are ongoing.

The Defense Ministry has deployed a commission led by Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov to the site to investigate the circumstances of the incident and oversee the rescue efforts. Updates on the search operation and the condition of the servicemen will be provided as new information becomes available.