Two United States soldiers are missing off the coast of Morocco after one fell into the Atlantic Ocean and another jumped in to attempt a rescue. The soldiers were taking part in the annual multinational training exercise African Lion, which is overseen by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Incident Details
The incident occurred when a group of soldiers used their recreation time to watch the sunset from clifftops near the Cap Draa Training Area. One soldier, who could not swim, accidentally fell into the ocean. A colleague immediately leaped in to save them, but both were swept away by a strong wave.
Search Operation Underway
An extensive search operation is currently underway involving multiple aircraft, drones, divers, and ships from both U.S. and Moroccan forces along the southwestern coastline. The area being searched covers a wide stretch of the Atlantic coast near the training zone.
The missing soldiers have not been identified pending notification of next of kin. AFRICOM officials stated that they are coordinating closely with Moroccan authorities to locate the two service members. The training exercise African Lion continues, but safety measures have been reviewed in light of the incident.
