A U.S. Navy died in an amphibious military vehicle crash off the coast of California, two others are injured and eight are missing, the military said Friday (July 31). Two Marines were transported to local hospitals, one in critical condition and the other in stable condition, the same source. Major operations are underway to find the eight missing soldiers.
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Eight more were found - including the deceased Marine and the two injured - for a total of 16 people on board the vehicle at the time of the crash, which occurred during a routine exercise.
The vehicle reported taking on water Thursday at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time (2:45 a.m. in France), in the vicinity of San Clemente Island, off the city of San Diego, in southern California. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. " We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, " Colonel Christopher Bronzi said in a statement. The name of the deceased Marine will not be made public for 24 hours, the time to warn his relatives.