US, Lithuania work to drain swamp in search of missing US soldiers

US and Lithuanian forces continued to drain a swampy area in Lithuania in an ongoing effort to recover four American Army soldiers who went missing five days ago.

The soldiers’ armoured vehicle was discovered submerged in approximately five metres of water and so far teams have been unable to get inside or pull it out.

US Army Europe and Africa said on Friday that cranes, a large-capacity pump and more than 30 tonnes of gravel have been brought in to help drain the water, dig out the mud and pull the M88 Hercules vehicle out of the swamp. They warned that this will be a long operation.

On Saturday evening, an attempt was made to dive toward the sunken vehicle, but a dense layer of mud prevented rescuers from reaching the M88.

Teams worked to pump and remove the sludge on Sunday as more equipment has been planned to help with the operation.

The soldiers are part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. A US Navy dive crew is being brought in, and the Polish Armed Forces have volunteered to send engineers, additional equipment and 150 personnel to also assist.

The four soldiers, whose identities have not been released, went missing early on Tuesday when they were on a mission to recover another Army vehicle during unit training. The Hercules was found on Wednesday, and teams have been working since then to get the vehicle out.

A mass was held at Vilnius Cathedral on Sunday in honour of the soldiers. he service was attended by American troops, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, and US Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald.

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas led prayers, including a reading in English.