Bodies of Two Missing US Soldiers from African Exercise Found, Investigation Underway
The U.S. military announced that the bodies of two soldiers who went missing during the 'African Lion 2026' military exercise in Morocco have been recovered. The incident, which is currently under investigation, highlights the importance of safety procedures in large-scale international military drills.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 13:34
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 14:02 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 06:19 (16h 16m after Collected)
Washington, May 13 (CNA) - The bodies of two U.S. soldiers who went missing during an international military exercise in southern Morocco have both been found, the U.S. Army said today, adding that their remains were being returned to the United States by an Air Force transport plane while the incident remains under investigation.
According to Reuters and AFP, the two soldiers went missing on May 2 near a cliff on the Atlantic coast during the 'African Lion 2026' military exercise.
The body of Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr. was first recovered on the 9th, found in the waters near Cap Draa.
The body of 19-year-old Private Mariyah Collington, a member of an air defense missile team in an artillery regiment, was found on the 12th in a coastal cave.
A U.S. Army statement said: 'The two bodies were taken to a Moroccan military hospital and then transported back to the United States by a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane.'
The U.S. military stated that since the two soldiers went missing on the 2nd, the U.S. military, Moroccan military, and allied forces at the Cap Draa Training Area launched a large-scale land, sea, and air search.
The Army added that the search and rescue operation mobilized more than 1,000 people and covered an area of 21,300 square kilometers.
The U.S. Army said: 'The search and rescue operation has concluded. The incident is still under investigation.'
An unnamed U.S. military official told AFP last week that the two soldiers may have accidentally fallen into the sea, ruling out the possibility of a terrorist attack. (Translation by Chi Chin-ling) 1150514
According to Reuters and AFP, the two soldiers went missing on May 2 near a cliff on the Atlantic coast during the 'African Lion 2026' military exercise.
The body of Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr. was first recovered on the 9th, found in the waters near Cap Draa.
The body of 19-year-old Private Mariyah Collington, a member of an air defense missile team in an artillery regiment, was found on the 12th in a coastal cave.
A U.S. Army statement said: 'The two bodies were taken to a Moroccan military hospital and then transported back to the United States by a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane.'
The U.S. military stated that since the two soldiers went missing on the 2nd, the U.S. military, Moroccan military, and allied forces at the Cap Draa Training Area launched a large-scale land, sea, and air search.
The Army added that the search and rescue operation mobilized more than 1,000 people and covered an area of 21,300 square kilometers.
The U.S. Army said: 'The search and rescue operation has concluded. The incident is still under investigation.'
An unnamed U.S. military official told AFP last week that the two soldiers may have accidentally fallen into the sea, ruling out the possibility of a terrorist attack. (Translation by Chi Chin-ling) 1150514