Search operations continued Tuesday off Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast for two missing U.S. soldiers who disappeared after one jumped into the ocean to try to save another service member who had fallen into the water, according to U.S. defense officials cited by CBS News.
The soldiers went missing near the Cap Draa Training Area during downtime linked to the annual African Lion military exercises, although U.S. officials said the incident itself was not connected to the drills.
According to a preliminary account cited by CBS News, a group of service members had gone hiking to watch the sunset near coastal cliffs when one soldier fell into the ocean. Defense officials said nearby soldiers first attempted a rescue by forming a human chain using their belts but were unable to reach the individual.
A second soldier then jumped into the water to try to rescue the first service member, who officials said was known not to be able to swim.
However, the rescuer was immediately struck by a wave and also became trapped in the water.
Officials said a third soldier later entered the ocean in another rescue attempt but was unable to save the two missing soldiers and eventually returned safely to shore.
The search operation has expanded significantly along the southern Moroccan coast, involving aircraft, drones, divers and maritime vessels from both Moroccan and U.S. forces.
A U.S. defense official told CBS News that the U.S. military deployed a Boeing P8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from Sigonella Naval Air Station in Italy to Tan-Tan on Tuesday to support the search effort.
Moroccan military divers are also searching caves along the coastline, an area known for steep cliffs and difficult ocean conditions.
The missing soldiers were among more than 7,000 troops from over 30 countries participating in African Lion, the largest annual joint military exercise led by U.S. Africa Command across Africa.
CBS News also reported that drones designed by U.S. Army officer Vincent Gasparri shortly before the incident were later deployed in the search effort for the missing soldiers.
The Atlantic waters off southern Morocco are known for strong currents, steep coastal cliffs and rough sea conditions that have long complicated rescue operations along the route toward the Canary Islands.
The same coastline regularly carries migrant boats into open Atlantic waters, with thousands of deaths and disappearances recorded in recent years along one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors. Human rights groups and migration monitors say currents along the Morocco Mauritania Atlantic route frequently drag vessels far offshore or against rocky coastal areas, leaving many bodies never recovered.
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