The body of a Fort Benning, Georgia, soldier who went missing in the nearby Chattahoochee River on Monday has been located, reports the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.



Pfc. Michael Ferreira, 23, was swimming in the river with fellow soldiers near the 13th Street Bridge in Columbus, Georgia, on Monday evening when strong rains and an unexpected current swept him away, according to the newspaper. His body was recovered by rescue workers Wednesday morning, ending the search effort. He was pronounced dead from an apparent drowning, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.





Body of Fort Benning soldier pulled from Chattahoochee Riverhttps://t.co/bDLIxWqLYG — The Ledger-Enquirer (@LedgerEnquirer) July 5, 2017

Ferreira, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, had just joined the 30th Adjutant General Battalion at Fort Benning, just outside of Columbus, according to the Ledger-Enquirer. He had reported to Fort Benning for training on July 2 and was scheduled to attend armor training, according to an official statement released by Fort Benning officials.

"This is a tragic loss," said Lt. Col. Kevin Poole, commander of the 30th AG Battalion, in the statement. "While Pfc. Ferreira was only recently assigned to Fort Benning, we are truly saddened to lose a member of our Army family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pfc. Ferreira’s family and friends during this exceptionally challenging time."

The incident remains under investigation.