NUUK, Denmark: Danish forces evacuated a crew member from a US Navy submarine off the coast of Greenland on Saturday following a medical emergency, officials confirmed.
The sailor was flown to a hospital in Nuuk for urgent treatment, according to a statement by Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, which oversees Danish operations in the Arctic region.
According to AFP, authorities did not provide details about the nature of the medical issue or the specific mission of the submarine, citing operational security concerns.
Images shared online appeared to show the sail of a submarine surfacing in Nuuk’s bay, though Agence France-Presse could not independently verify the footage.
The incident comes amid ongoing US interest in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory rich in minerals and strategically located in the Arctic.
Since returning to the White House last year, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need for Washington to secure influence over Greenland for national security purposes.
Last month, Trump appeared to back away from earlier threats to seize the island after reaching a “framework” agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte aimed at ensuring greater US influence in the Arctic region.
While the evacuation raises no immediate international concerns, it highlights the continued US military presence and strategic interest in Greenland’s waters, which are becoming increasingly important in global Arctic geopolitics.
