16 army men were killed on Friday after the truck skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn and fell into a deep gorge at Zema, North Sikkim.
Four injured soldiers have been air evacuated. 3 JCOs and 13 soldiers have been confirmed dead.
According to information, 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. The condition of the four critically injured Army personnel remains unknown.
Deeply pained by the loss of lives of the Indian Army personnel due to a road accident in North Sikkim.
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.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2022
The bodies are being taken to the State-run STNM Hospital in Gangtok for post-mortem and later will be handed over to the Army. The regiment of the victims is yet to be ascertained.
The Army vehicle had been picking up the Army personnel on the way as it was heading towards its destination.
On December 6, two persons were killed and three others critically injured after their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge in West Sikkim.
The five people were on the way to Sangadorji in the taxi when the accident happened on Kaluk-Reshi Road around 9 pm.
(More details awaited)
