A U.S. Navy sailor serving with the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa died following a diving accident Monday morning.
The sailor, who has not been named pending notification of next of kin, was assigned to the 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa.
"The thoughts and prayers of the entire command are with the sailor’s family, friends and unit service members," Marine Corps officials said in a statement.
"An official investigation into the exact cause of death has begun and no additional details of the incident are available at this time."
The accident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. Japan Standard Time at the Mermaid Grotto, Manzo-Mo, Okinawa.
The Mermaid Grotto, renown as a snorkeling and diving "bucket list" item for Okinawa, is located in the western outskirts of Onna village, a popular resort hotel destination overlooking the East China Sea in the center of the island.
Matthew Schehl is the land warfare reporter for Marine Corps Times and Army Times. He can be reached at mschehl@marinecorpstimes.com.