Internet left speechless as 'terrifying' waves unleash chaos on US Army dining hall in Marshall Islands

MARSHALL ISLANDS, OCEANIA: Social media users were recently stunned by a viral video depicting colossal waves striking a US Army dining hall in the Marshall Islands. Viewers expressed shock and fear witnessing the destructive force unleashed by Mother Nature in the footage.

Before this tragic event affected the US Army, there was another significant loss that deeply impacted the military community.

Michelle Young, a 34-year-old Afghanistan war veteran, fitness influencer, and single mother, recently took her own life, creating a state of mourning on social media.

'Terrifying' waves crash in US Army dining hall

As reported by USA Today, a sequence of powerful weather-driven waves hit a crucial US military installation in the Marshall Islands on Saturday night, causing damage to infrastructure and prompting the evacuation of numerous individuals from the island.

According to USA Today's statement from the US Army on Tuesday, "On the night of January 20, 2024, a series of weather-driven waves resulted in significant ocean water inundation of the island of Roi-Namur," which is the second largest island in the Kwajalein Atoll within the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Social media has been abuzz with dramatic video footage depicting a large wave striking the Army's dining hall, breaking doors, knocking people down, and flooding the building. Another seemingly higher wave follows, plunging the scene into darkness, resembling a cinematic moment.

A U.S. Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll spokesperson, Mike Brantley, informed Marianas Variety that one person was injured during the incident but is in stable condition and receiving treatment at a local clinic on Kwajalein Island. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

According to USA Today, in response to the emergency, an Emergency Operations Cell was promptly established to oversee and coordinate recovery efforts, as stated in an Army update on Facebook.

All personnel were successfully accounted for, and non-mission essential individuals were evacuated to Kwajalein Island, the missile testing range headquarters located about 40 miles south at the other end of the atoll.

By Tuesday, 80 out of the 120 individuals residing in Roi-Namur had been evacuated by the US  Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll, leaving 60 people behind to assess damage and restore basic services, according to the Army's release, as reported by USA Today.

Colonel Drew Morgan, a commander of the US Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll, emphasized, “Clearing the runway on Roi-Namur and assessing its safety is our top priority now that we have evacuated personnel not required for the initial response efforts.” He also asserted, once the runway is operational, the Army can facilitate the movement of people and equipment to commence the recovery process.

The recovery effort, termed 'Operation Roi Recovery', involving multiple mission partners, is expected to span several months, according to Brantley.

Aerial photos as per USA Today reveal extensive damage to Roi-Namur’s infrastructure, with several areas still submerged. The quarters suffered flooding, while the dining facility, Outrigger Bar and Grill, the chapel, and the Tradewinds Theater sustained moderate to extensive damage, and the automotive complex remains underwater.

Internet users assert US Army getting crashed by waves is 'terrifying'

A user wrote, "As if the initial crashes weren’t enough, the power being lost at the very end is truly terrifying. That would be an extraordinarily helpless feeling to have massive waves flooding the building in near darkness."

Another user wrote, "This is insane, it looks like something out of a movie."

A user commented, "Wow that was insane. I’m glad everyone was safe too. The Marshall Islands are a small group of islands in the Pacific about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. You’re basically on your own out there and Mother Nature doesn’t mess around."

Another user commneted, "the video alone gives a scary vibe. I can’t imagine actually being there. I’m glad everyone is safe as well"