Four soldiers from the United States disappear in Lithuania, they find them dead in a swamp and one is still missing

The bodies of the three soldiers were recovered after an intense six -day effort by the US, Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities for Extract the M88 Hercules vehicle from a peat In the extensive general training field Silvestras Žukauskas, in the city of Pabradė.

The soldiers were in A tactical training exercise When his disappearance was reported and that of his vehicle at dawn on Tuesday, the army reported.

The command indicated in a statement that the identity of the soldiers of the 1st Combat team of the armored brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, remains in reserve pending notification to their relatives.

“We accompany with deep regret the families and loved ones of these extraordinary” Dogface Soldiers “at this time inimaginable,” said Major General Christopher Norrie, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

“But the search does not end until everyone is at home. We have no words to express our gratitude to those who continue to work tirelessly during these extensive search and recovery, and their unwavering commitment not to rest until everyone is found.”

Hundreds of Lithuanian and American soldiers and rescuers participated in the search Through the dense forests and swampy terrain around Pabradė, just 10 kilometers west of the border with Belarus. The armored vehicle was discovered on Wednesday 4.5 meters submerged deep

The Lithuanian Armed Forces provided military helicopters, fixed -wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and search and rescue personnel. They also brought additional excavators, locks and mud bombs, other heavy construction equipment, technical experts and several hundred tons of gravel and land to facilitate recovery.

The US Navy divers managed to maneuver through Thick layers of mud, clay and sediments “With null visibility” to reach the 63 tons vehicle Sunday night and find two points to connect steel cables, according to the command.

The command indicated that, during the effort to get the vehicle, it began to lose traction, so Additional heavy excavators were incorporated to provide greater grip. The vehicle was rescued after approximately two hours, according to the command.

“The armored vehicle was taken to the ground at 4:40 am, the trailer operation has ended, the Lithuanian Military Police and US researchers continue their work,” said Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, Monday morning in a Facebook post.

The Navy’s diving team is RAstroing the area with radar to find the fourth soldier that is still missing.

Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of the Iron Task Force and the 1st armored division, thanked the heroic efforts of those who participated in the search and recovery. The US Army and the Lithuanian authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.