Three of the four United States soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week were found dead on Monday after rescuers recovered their armored vehicle from a swamp, the US Army confirmed.
The Lithuanian authorities first received reports of the missing soldiers last Tuesday during a military exercise at a training ground in Pabrade, near the Belarusian border.
Search and rescue teams used heavy equipment and excavators to remove silt from the water where the vehicle was located, eventually towing it out of the swamp early Monday.
“Three US Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania today, March 31,” US Army Europe and Africa’s public affairs office stated.
It added that efforts were ongoing to locate the fourth missing soldier.
In Washington, President Donald Trump confirmed the developments, describing the incident as an accident involving a heavy military vehicle.
“It was a very heavy truck,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “And it would seem that the bank of a lake collapsed. You know, the weight is so big.”
He added that the conditions were harsh. “It was at night and very cold. Ice, a lot of ice. And it possibly slipped because the weight is so enormous,” he said.
The identities of the deceased soldiers were not immediately released, pending notification of their families.
Christopher Norrie, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, expressed his grief over the loss.
“Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home,” he said. “But the search isn’t finished until everyone is home.”
He also thanked those involved in the ongoing efforts. “Words cannot express our gratitude to those still working around the clock during these extensive search and recovery efforts and your unwavering commitment not to rest until all are found,” he added.
Hundreds of local and international military personnel, engineers, and divers participated in the rescue operation to recover the M88 Hercules armored vehicle.
Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, hosts more than 1,000 US troops on a rotational basis.
