Nine Kazakh military personnel die in naval drills accident

At least nine Kazakh military personnel died on Thursday after being swept out to sea during naval drills on the Caspian coast, the central Asian country's defence ministry said.

"According to preliminary information, 19 military personnel were swept out to sea. To date, the deaths of nine military personnel have been confirmed," the ministry said on Telegram.

The accident happened in the western Mangystau region on the coast of the vast inland sea during a combat training mission.

It was caused by "a sudden deterioration in weather conditions", the ministry said, adding that three people had been rescued.

A search and rescue effort for the remaining personnel was still going on, it added.