4 U.S. Military troopers have been lacking Wednesday in Lithuania after disappearing throughout a coaching train, officers stated. NATO Secretary-Common Mark Rutte had advised reporters in Poland that the troopers have been killed, however a NATO spokesperson later stated Rutte was referring to unconfirmed particulars from information studies.
A U.S. official stated that the 4 troopers have been concerned in a coaching accident.
“We’re conscious that 4 U.S. troopers are at the moment lacking in Lithuania throughout a coaching train and that search and restoration efforts are underway,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in a press release. “Our hearts exit to the troopers and households affected by this case. We are going to present extra info when it turns into accessible.”
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The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius stated earlier in a statement posted on social media that the troops went lacking from a coaching space close to Pabrade, close to Lithuania’s far jap border with Belarus, a nation closely allied with Russia. The embassy didn’t say when the troopers went lacking, and it thanked Lithuania’s navy and police for serving to American forces seek for them.
“The troopers, all from 1st Brigade, third Infantry Division, have been conducting scheduled tactical coaching on the time of the incident,” the embassy’s assertion stated.
U.S. Military Europe and Africa later stated the automobile the lacking troopers had been working, an M88 Hercules armored restoration automobile, had been discovered.
“The automobile was found submerged in a physique of water in a coaching space after a search by U.S. Military, Lithuanian Armed Forces and different Lithuanian authorities. Restoration efforts are underway by U.S. Military and Lithuanian Armed Forces and civilian businesses,” USAEA stated.
