President Vjosa Osmani has honored the American soldiers who tragically lost their lives in Lithuania during training exercises.
“Today, we join our American friends in mourning the loss of three brave American soldiers who died during a U.S.-led exercise in Lithuania – far from home, but never far from honor,” Osmani wrote on Facebook.
“In Lithuania, in Kosovo, and across the entire Alliance, we remember them, and we stand in solidarity as efforts continue to locate the fourth soldier.”
Meanwhile, three of the four American soldiers who had been missing in Lithuania since last week were found dead on Monday, the U.S. military said, after rescue teams managed to extract the armored vehicle from a swamp.
Lithuanian authorities received information on Tuesday of last week that the soldiers had gone missing during a military exercise at a training center in the eastern city of Pabrade, near the border with Belarus.
Rescue teams worked with heavy equipment and excavators to remove the sludge from the water-filled vehicle, eventually retrieving the soldiers from the pit.
“Three American soldiers were found dead today in Lithuania,” the U.S. Army Europe and Africa office said in a statement.
It added that “search and rescue operations are ongoing for the fourth soldier,” with identities not being released until their families have been notified and confirmed.
“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. But our search will not end until everyone is home,” said U.S. Commanding General Christopher Norrie.
Hundreds of local and foreign workers, along with rescue team members, including engineers and divers, are involved in the search for the fourth member who was in the M88 Hercules armored vehicle.
Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, is home to over 1,000 U.S. troops stationed in rotational bases.
