WASHINGTON

The vehicle of four US soldiers that went missing on Tuesday in Lithuania was found submerged in water, the US Army said Wednesday.

"The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle the four missing US soldiers were operating during a training exercise has been located in Lithuania.

"The vehicle was discovered submerged in a body of water in a training area after a search by the US Army, the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and other Lithuanian authorities," the army said in a statement.

Stressing that recovery efforts are underway by the US Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and civilian agencies, the army said search efforts for the soldiers continue.

"The soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident," it said.

Earlier on Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that four American soldiers had died.

"Whilst I was speaking, the news came out about four American soldiers who were killed in an incident in Lithuania," Rutte told reporters in Warsaw, without providing any further information.