Rescue teams recover US armoured vehicle in Pabrade Training Area
Rescue teams work to recover the armoured vehicle in Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania (Picture Lithuanian Armed Forces)
Rescue teams searching for four missing US soldiers in Lithuania have recovered an armoured vehicle from a swamp.
The personnel, from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were travelling in an M88 Hercules armoured recovery vehicle in the Pabradė Training Area when they were reported missing last week.
Both Lithuanian and US rescue teams have spent the last few days trying to recover a vehicle from wetland in the area.
The Lithuanian ministry of defence confirmed the vehicle had been pulled from the swamp on Sunday evening.
Lithuanian police and US investigators will continue to work at the site to gather more information on the incident.
After the operation to remove the armored vehicle from the swamp is completed, the Lithuanian Military Police and U.S. investigators are continuing their work at the site. We will remain patient and focused as they gather more information about the situation. https://t.co/EMbSxKRCRg
— Lithuanian MOD 🇱🇹 (@Lithuanian_MoD) March 31, 2025
Posting on X, the Lithuanian MOD said: "After six days of relentless effort in Pabradė, the armoured vehicle was finally pulled from the swamp last night.
"After the operation to remove the armoured vehicle from the swamp is completed, the Lithuanian Military Police and US investigators are continuing their work at the site.
"We will remain patient and focused as they gather more information about the situation."
After 138 hours of intense, continuous work, the armored vehicle was pulled out of the swamp in Pabradė.
We are immensely grateful to the Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers, our other forces and volunteers who carried out this complex work. We also thank the countries that offered…
— Gintautas Paluckas (@g_paluckas) March 31, 2025
Lithuania's prime minister, Gintautas Paluckas, has paid tribute to those who assisted in the recovery of the vehicle.
He said: "After 138 hours of intense, continuous work, the armoured vehicle was pulled out of the swamp in Pabradė.
"We are immensely grateful to the Lithuanian and US soldiers, our other forces and volunteers who carried out this complex work.
"We also thank the countries that offered assistance and those who were ready to help if needed."
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