One Marine dead, 8 missing after incident in California

One Marine has died, and eight other service members are missing following a Thursday incident involving an amphibious vehicle in Southern California.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force confirmed in a tweet early Friday morning that at least two service members were injured after a “mishap” with an assault amphibious vehicle (AAV). Officials said that search and rescue efforts are still ongoing and are being supported by the Navy and Coast Guard. 

1 Marine has died, 8 service members remain missing and 2 were injured after an AAV mishap July 30 off the coast of Southern California. All are assigned to the 15th MEU. Search and rescue efforts are still underway with support from the Navy and Coast Guard.

— I MEF (@1stMEF) July 31, 2020

All of the service members involved in the incident are assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). 

The Marine Corps confirmed in a statement to The Hill that 15 marines and one sailor were in the AAV at the time of the Thursday incident. Eight of the individuals have been recovered. 

Of the two injured service members, one is in critical condition and one is in stable condition. 

The incident occurred during a routine training exercise “in the vicinity of San Clemente Island” in California, according to a statement to The Hill. 

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers as we continue our search,” Col. Christopher Bronzi, 15th MEU commanding officer, said in a statement early Friday morning.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers as we continue our search,” said Col. Christopher Bronzi, 15th MEU Commanding Officer.

— I MEF (@1stMEF) July 31, 2020