US Marine Dead, 8 Missing After Amphibious Vehicle Training Accident

Search and rescue efforts continued Friday morning after a training accident off the coast of Southern California resulted in the death of one U.S. Marine and left eight others missing. Two additional individuals were subsequently transported to local hospitals with injuries where one remains in critical condition and one is stable.

On Thursday, the accident occurred during a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group routine training exercise near San Clemente Island, according to CNN.

The incident, which began at around 5:45 p.m. local time, occurred after Marines in an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) reported that they were taking on water. At that time, 16 service members assigned to the 15th MEU based out of Camp Pendleton were inside the AAV.

Following the accident, Col. Christopher Bronzi, the commanding officer of the 15th MEU, stated that they are "deeply saddened and by this tragic accident." He also asked for prayers throughout the ongoing recovery efforts.

Search and rescue efforts are still underway as of Friday morning. The name of the Marine that was killed has not yet been publicly released. It will be withheld until 24 hours have passed since notifying his next of kin.

The accident remains under investigation.