1 missing U.S. soldier in Morocco was trying to save another, officials say

U.S. 1 missing U.S. soldier jumped into water to try to save another, search continues in Morocco, officials say By Duarte Dias, Duarte Dias Digital Journalist Duarte Pita Dias is based in CBS News' London bureau, where he works across digital platforms and for TV broadcasts. Read Full Bio Duarte Dias, Chris Livesay Chris Livesay Correspondent, Rome Chris Livesay is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Rome. Read Full Bio Chris Livesay May 4, 2026 / 6:18 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google One of the two American service members missing in Morocco jumped into the water to try to save the other missing soldier, defense officials told CBS News on Monday.  Search and rescue efforts were still underway as of Monday after the two U.S. Army soldiers went missing off Morocco's southern coast over the weekend. The soldiers were part of an annual training exercise known as African Lion, although the incident is not believed to be related to the exercise.According to a preliminary report, a group of service members was on a hike to watch the sunset when a soldier fell into the water. A defense official previously told CBS News the soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs near the Cap Draa Training Area. When the first soldier fell into the water, the nearby service members attempted a rescue by forming a human chain with their belts, but were unsuccessful, the officials said. Another soldier then jumped in to save the service member, who was known not to be able to swim, but the would-be rescuer was immediately hit by a wave, the report indicates. Both soldiers were having trouble getting back to shore, so a third jumped in. That third soldier wasn't able to save the other two but was able to make it back safely on their own, the officials said.Multiple aircraft, drones, divers and vessels have been searching along Morocco's southern coast for the last three days for the two missing U.S. soldiers. The Cap Draa Training Area in Morocco. CBS News African Li...