US Soldier Jumped into Atlantic to Save Non-Swimming Comrade in Morocco, Officials Say

One of two American service members missing off Morocco jumped into the water to rescue the other soldier, defense officials told CBS News on Monday.

Search and rescue operations continued Monday after the two U.S. Army soldiers disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean off Morocco's southern coast over the weekend. The soldiers took part in the annual African Lion training exercise, though officials said the incident was unrelated.

A preliminary report said a group of service members hiked to watch the sunset when one soldier fell into the water. The soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs by the Cap Draa Training Area, a defense official previously told CBS News.

Nearby service members tried to pull the fallen soldier out by forming a human chain with their belts, but the effort failed, officials said. Another soldier, known not to swim, then jumped in to help. A wave struck that rescuer right away, the report showed.

Both struggled to reach shore, so a third soldier jumped in. That one could not save the pair but swam back safely alone, officials said.

Aircraft, drones, divers and vessels have scoured Morocco's southern coast for three days seeking the missing Americans.

African Lion is the largest annual joint military exercise run by U.S. Africa Command, one of the Defense Department's 11 unified combatant commands. It gathers thousands of troops from the United States, African partners and NATO allies for training in land, air, sea, cyber and space operations.

More than 7,000 service members from over 30 countries were based there for the exercises.