U.S. authorities are reassessing initial findings about the tragic incident involving two Navy SEALs who lost their lives while attempting to board an unmarked ship carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons bound for Yemen.
According to updated information from interviews and further scrutiny, it is now revealed that Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers fell into the gap created by high waves during the boat boarding on January 11.
Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, in an attempt to rescue Chambers, jumped in after him. Contrary to the initial report, where it was suggested that Ingram had fallen in first, this revised account is based on new details obtained during the ongoing mission review.
Both Chambers and Ingram were unable to be rescued and were lost at sea.
The Naval Special Warfare Command is conducting an investigation, with the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet expected to scrutinize equipment, training, procedures, and decision-making factors related to the mission, including weather conditions and sea state.
The statement also notes that the investigation is ongoing to gather more information about the incident.
Chambers, 37, from Maryland, joined the Navy in 2012 and completed SEAL training in 2014, while Ingram, 27, from Texas, enlisted in 2019 and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.
