- A U.S. Marine is dead and eight service members are missing after an accident involving an amphibious assault vehicle off Southern California on Thursday, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force tweeted early Friday morning.
- The accident occurred during a routine training exercise near San Clemente Island, the US Marine Corps told Business Insider in a statement.
- The Navy and Coast Guard are leading the search for the missing Marines, the service said.
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A US Marine is dead and eight service members are missing after an accident involving an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of southern California on Thursday.
“1 marine died, 8 service members are still missing, and 2 were injured after an AAV accident on July 30 on the southern California coast,” the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force tweeted early Friday morning, and added that they were all assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
“Search and rescue efforts are still underway with the support of the Navy and the Coast Guard,” the tweet said.
—I MEF (@ 1stMEF) July 31, 2020
The incident occurred during a routine training exercise near San Clemente Island, the US Marine Corps told Business Insider in an emailed statement.
Fifteen Marines were aboard the AAV, which reported drinking water at 5:45 pm local time, the Marine Corps said.
He said that of the injured couple, one was in a critical condition and one in a stable condition.
He said the search and rescue operation involved four helicopters, three from the Navy and one from the Coast Guard, the USS John Finn, the USS Somerset, the USS San Diego and several small Island boats from the USS Makin, as well as a Coast Guard Cutter.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” said Colonel Christopher Bronzi, commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers as we continue our search.”
