A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Sunday that two U.S. service members reported missing in Morocco fell off a cliff into the ocean in what officials are describing as a hiking accident. The soldiers were in the North African country for multinational training exercises.
The incident began near a base in southern Morocco, and personnel later reported aircraft searching the stretch of coastline where the Sahara meets the Atlantic. Defense officials said the two were off duty and not participating in the exercise when they fell; they have since been confirmed as members of the U.S. Army, and their names have not been released.
More than 5,000 personnel from over 40 nations were involved in the exercise, which has emphasized drones, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Many participants shifted from training to assist in search-and-rescue efforts. The search is ongoing, and U.S. officials have characterized the event as a hiking accident.