VILNIUS (Agencies): The last of the four American soldiers who went missing in Lithuania during a military drill has been found dead, the US Army confirmed on Tuesday. The soldier’s body was discovered near Pabrade, close to the Belarusian border, though no further details were provided.
The tragic incident unfolded last week when Lithuanian authorities received a report that four US soldiers had disappeared during a training exercise. On Monday, rescue teams recovered their M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle from a swamp, finding the bodies of the first three soldiers inside.
“The fourth US Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was found deceased near Pabrade, Lithuania, the afternoon of April 1,” US Army Europe and Africa’s public affairs office stated. The soldier’s identity is being withheld until the next of kin are notified.
Lithuania’s defense ministry expressed “deep sorrow” over the deaths, extending condolences to the families of all four servicemembers. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also honored the soldiers, thanking both American and Lithuanian personnel for their joint recovery efforts.
“The recovery was conducted with urgency, resolve, and deep respect for the fallen,” Hegseth stated, adding that the soldiers’ sacrifices would never be forgotten.
Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, hosts more than 1,000 US troops on a rotational basis as part of military cooperation with the alliance. The incident has cast a shadow over the ongoing drills, with investigations expected to determine the cause of the accident.