Accidents are common on India’s poorly maintained roads.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW DELHI — At least 16 indian army died after a truck carrying them fell into a ravine. This incident happened in the state of Sikki in northeastern India on Friday (23/12/2022) local time.

Four other soldiers were also injured. They were airlifted to a military hospital in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The Indian Army said in a statement that the accident happened when the vehicle made a sharp turn on a mountain road and skidded down a steep slope. The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy heading for the Tangu Valley. The vehicle crashed in Zema, nearly 220 kilometers north of Gangtok, the capital of the state of Sikkim.

“Unfortunately, three junior officers and 13 soldiers died from injuries sustained in the accident,” the Indian army said, quoted in the statement. The IndependentsSaturday (24/12/2022).

The body was reportedly taken to a government hospital in Gangtok for an autopsy and will then be handed over to soldiers and their families. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh mourned their deaths.

“Deep sorrow for the deaths of military personnel. The nation is so grateful for their service and commitment. My condolences to the families left behind. I pray for a speedy recovery for those who were injured,” he said. .

President Dropadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed their condolences to the victims. “Sad to hear of the death of a brave Indian Army soldier in a traffic accident in Sikkim. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased,” President Modi said in a statement. Twitter official.

Accidents are common on India’s poorly maintained roads. Earlier this month, two people were killed and three others injured after their vehicle plunged into a canyon in West Sikkim. Indian police data sums up more than 110,000 people killed annually in traffic accidents across India.