Riga (EFE).- Three of the four United States soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week were confirmed dead by the US Army on Monday after the military vehicle in which they were traveling in tragically sank in a swampy training area.
According to Lithuanian media, the fourth occupant of a US Army M88 Hercules recovery vehicle is still missing in the military zone near Pabradė on the border with Belarus.
The soldiers belonged to the 1st Brigade and 3rd US Infantry Division, units from the US Army participating in the NATO mission to strengthen the Atlantic Alliance’s presence in Eastern Europe.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed his condolences in a statement, saying his country had been hoping for a “miracle.”
“Until the last minute, we were waiting for a miracle. It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I received the news of the death of the American soldiers found during the maneuvers. Their death is a painful blow not only to our American compatriots but also to the Lithuanian army,” Nauseda said.
The Lithuanian leader visited the military training area last week as efforts continue to find the US vehicle, used mainly to recover damaged battle tanks.
Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT quoted a US Army statement on the soldiers’ deaths where US Major General Curtis Taylor expressed his condolences.
“Today is a very sad and tragic day. The loss of these Soldiers weighs heavy on me, the hearts of all Task Force Iron service , and the 3rd Infantry Division. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these brave Soldiers,” he said.
A 60-ton M88 Hercules
The US Army has dedicated a website showing the efforts to find and recover the M88 vehicle and its crew. The armored recovery vehicle extraction took place early Monday.
Before the three US soldiers were reported dead, the Lithuanian Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into the deaths of the US soldiers, a sign that there was little or no hope that anyone would be found alive.
The recovery of the 60-tonne tracked vehicle, usually used to tow other armored vehicles, was a t effort by Lithuanian and US Army soldiers, US Navy divers, and specialists from Poland.
Missing on Mar. 25
On Mar. 25, the vehicle and its crew were reported missing during a mission to fix and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle as they were in a wooded and swampy training area near hostile Belarus.
Local media said the Americans may have accidentally driven their heavily tracked vehicle over the peat bog. EFE
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