FILE – A U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) takes part in a landing operation during a military Exercise Baltops 2018, at the Baltic Sea near Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, June 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, File)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:05 AM PT — Saturday, August 1, 2020
Round-the-clock search and rescue operations ensued following a Marine training accident off the coast of San Diego, California. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious assault vehicle sunk during training operations late Thursday evening.
The vehicle was carrying a total of 16 people, eight of whom were recovered.
One Marine was declared dead and two were injured. Seven Marines and one sailor are still missing.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining service members. During the press conference, the CMC seized all waterborne AAV operations until further notice.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Pfc. Timothy Fowler)
— I MEF (@1stMEF) August 1, 2020
The Navy and Coast Guard have been assisting search and rescue efforts. An investigation has been launched into the origins of the incident.
“They’re actually working with us to provide assets that can basically get down to take a look at the AAV (amphibious assault vehicle). We are continuing search and rescue operations at this point. We have not moved into recovery operations, we’re still looking for them.” – Lieutenant General Joseph Osterman, Commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
The two injured marines are currently recovering in the hospital with one in critical condition. The families of the victims have all been notified.
UPDATE: Representatives have notified all families of the Marines and Sailor involved in Thursday’s tragedy. We have covered more than 200 square nautical miles in the extensive search for our 8 missing service members. All efforts are committed to the #15thmeurecovery. @1stMEF pic.twitter.com/sRiu6PLBl4
— 15th MEU (@15thMEUOfficial) August 1, 2020
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