ASTANA, September 24. /TASS/. The death toll among Kazakh servicemen during military exercises in the Caspian Sea has risen to 12, the administration of Kazakhstan's Mangystau Region said.

"According to updated information, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea while carrying out a combat training mission after weather conditions deteriorated sharply and winds picked up. Twelve of them died and three were rescued. The search for the remaining two servicemen is continuing," the statement said.

Earlier, Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry said that 19 servicemen had been swept out to sea during naval exercises. Three were rescued and nine were reported dead.