The lookup for eight lacking US army support users off the California coast was called off just after a 40-hour operation — with all now presumed lifeless, authorities declared Sunday.

The seven Marines and a single Navy sailor went lacking Thursday when an amphibious assault motor vehicle sank in hundreds of feet of water all through a teaching exercising.

“It is with a heavy heart that I decided to conclude the research and rescue effort,” Col. Christopher Bronzi, commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, explained on Twitter. “The steadfast perseverance of the Marines, Sailors, and Coastline Guardsmen to the persistent rescue work was great.”

“All 8 missing service customers are presumed deceased,” the unit reported in one more publish on Sunday. “Efforts will now turn to research and restoration.”

The missing troopers had been amid 16 on the amphibious craft when it commenced having on h2o in the course of the physical exercise. Three of the rescued services associates were plucked from the craft and rushed to space hospitals, exactly where a person died. The two some others have been detailed in essential ailment.

It was unidentified what induced the mishap. The names of the missing Marines and sailor have not been released.

The Coast Guard, Maritime Corps and US Navy searched 1,000 square nautical miles of ocean in their look for for the lacking soldiers, Usa These days reported.

Authorities stated the 26-ton military motor vehicle is lying hundreds of ft beneath the surface, complicating attempts to retrieve it. The vessel was returning to base when the accident occurred.