A human chain. A wave. Two soldiers gone. The search off Morocco's Atlantic coast enters its third day. One of the two missing U.S. Army soldiers jumped into the Atlantic Ocean to try to save the other — a soldier known not to be able to swim — only to be immediately hit by a wave, defense officials told CBS News on Monday. Both remain missing. The search, now in its third day, continues along Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast.
According to a preliminary report obtained by CBS News, a group of service members had gone on a hike to watch the sunset near the Cap Draa Training Area when the first soldier fell into the water. The nearby soldiers attempted a rescue by forming a human chain using their belts — but were unsuccessful. A second soldier then jumped in to try to save the first, who was known not to be able to swim. That rescuer was immediately hit by a wave. Both were in the water and struggling to get back to shore. A third soldier jumped in — and managed to make it back safely on their own — but was unable to save the other two.
A group of service members was on a hike to watch the sunset when a soldier fell into the water. Nearby soldiers formed a human chain with their belts — but were unsuccessful. A second soldier jumped in and was immediately hit by a wave.
— Preliminary report · Defense officials via CBS News, May 4, 2026
Search still underway — day three
Multiple aircraft, drones, divers and vessels have been searching along Morocco’s southern coast since Saturday night. The incident is not believed to be related to the African Lion exercise itself — the soldiers were off-duty when it happened. Defense officials have confirmed there is no link to terrorism. The two soldiers were among more than 7,000 service members from over 30 countries stationed in the area for the annual exercises.
- Source: Defense officials via CBS News, May 4, 2026. Updates our earlier reports: “Two U.S. Soldiers Are Missing” and “No Link to Terrorism“.