Three out of the four U.S. soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week have been found dead, according to the U.S. military. The soldiers were discovered after rescue teams managed to retrieve their armored vehicle from a swamp.
Lithuanian authorities reported on Tuesday of last week that the soldiers went missing during military exercises at a training center in the eastern city of Pabrade, near the Belarusian border.
Rescue teams worked with heavy equipment and excavators to remove the mud from the vehicle, which had been submerged in water, and were then able to recover the soldiers from the pit.
“Three U.S. soldiers have been found dead today in Lithuania,” stated the U.S. Army Europe and Africa in a press release.
It also mentioned that “rescue operations are continuing for the fourth soldier,” but the identities of the deceased have not been released pending notification of their families and official confirmation.
“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. But our search efforts will continue until every soldier is returned home,” said U.S. General Christopher Norrie.
Hundreds of local and foreign workers, along with rescue personnel, including engineers and divers, are involved in the search for the fourth soldier who was also in the M88 Hercules armored vehicle.
Lithuania, a NATO and EU member state, hosts more than 1,000 U.S. troops stationed in rotating bases.
