Poland joins urgent search for missing US soldiers in Lithuania
Poland has joined the search operation for four American soldiers missing at the Lithuanian training ground in Pabrade. The President of Lithuania has arrived on the scene. In the evening, a team of American divers will also be present at the training ground. New photos from the operation site have been released.
What you need to know
- Four American soldiers went missing on Tuesday during exercises at the training ground in Pabrade, near the border with Belarus.
- Poland has sent a task force with heavy equipment and divers to assist in the search.
- Lithuanian Defense Minister, Dovile Szakaliene, emphasized that Poland's support is a gesture of solidarity and cooperation.
Actions at the training ground in Lithuania
So far, the bodies of the four U.S. soldiers have not been found, and their deaths have not been confirmed. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Szakaliene mentioned that there are no guarantees the soldiers are in the vehicle. "All scenarios are still being examined," she added.
A Polish task force, consisting of dozens of soldiers, has set out for Lithuania to help locate the soldiers and retrieve their armored vehicle.
Challenges in the search for American soldiers
The search is being conducted in challenging, swampy terrain, where the armored Hercules vehicle was found at a depth of 10 to 16 feet. "A different type of silt suction machine was used last night. The large dredger is expected to arrive today. Some silt was removed overnight, but not enough, and water keeps rushing into the site from the nearby lake," reported Szakaliene. Despite the difficulties, the work continues incessantly, involving both Lithuanian and foreign military personnel.
Next steps at the training ground
Minister Szakaliene stated that the missing soldiers have not yet been found, and their deaths have not been confirmed. She added that the position of the vehicle and the way it should be accessed remain unknown. The search also involves helicopters from the Lithuanian Air Force and the State Border Guard Service. International cooperation is crucial in this complex rescue operation.
New photos from the training ground have emerged.
