FILE – U.S and Moroccan military forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise in Tan-Tan, south of Agadir, Morocco, Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP
According to a declaration released Sunday by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), two American military personnel are unaccounted for following involvement in a multinational training drill in Morocco.
The service members were participating in the yearly African Lion drill in the North African nation when they were "reported as missing in the vicinity of the Cap Draa Training Area, close to the city of Tan-Tan" on Saturday, as stated by AFRICOM.
FILE – U.S and Moroccan military forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise in Tan-Tan, south of Agadir, Morocco, Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP
An American official informed ABC News that both soldiers belong to the Army and were hiking when they are thought to have plunged from a cliff into the sea. The official conveyed that there is no indication of any wrongdoing.
"The U.S., Moroccan, and other resources from African Lion promptly commenced coordinated search and rescue actions, involving land, air, and sea resources," AFRICOM reported, further noting that the event is being investigated and the search for the absent personnel is in progress.
The U.S. official mentioned to ABC News that Moroccan mountaineers and divers are also assisting in the operation, alongside U.S. and Moroccan helicopters, drones, and naval vessels.
According to AFRICOM, African Lion is a significant yearly exercise that involves about 5,000 troops and staff from approximately 40 countries, including the United States, Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com