Dec 23,2022:Sixteen army personnel, including three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), were killed in a road accident at Zema in North Sikkim on Friday morning, 23 December, when their vehicle skidded off while navigating a sharp turn, the army said.
The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that was on its way from Chatten to Thangu.
“Deeply pained” over the loss of lives of the personnel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a tweet, “The nation is deeply grateful for their service and commitment. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured.”
Four injured soldiers were air evacuated. Three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO) and 13 soldiers have been confirmed dead, a defence statement said.
The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu.
The mishap took place at 8 am at Zema 3, about 15 kms away from Lachen.
The Army vehicle was heading towards the border posts with 20 occupants. The vehicle seemed to have veered off the road while negotiating a curve in the Zema 3 area and crashed hundreds of feet down. All 16 bodies have been recovered from the crash site.
