In North Sikkim, 16 army personnel were killed on Friday, December 23, as an army truck slipped down the slope at Zema. The army vehicle was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu. En route to Zema, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope while taking a sharp turn.
"A rescue mission was immediately launched, and four injured soldiers have been air evacuated. Unfortunately, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 13 soldiers succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident. Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families, at this hour of loss," said a statement released by the Army.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed sorrow and said he is "deeply pained" by the loss of lives of 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," the defence minister said in a tweet.
President Droupadi Murmu was anguished at the loss of lives of brave soldiers of the Indian Army in a road accident in Sikkim. "My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," the President said in a tweet.
North Sikkim is a tough terrain to manoeuvre these days as tracks and around are covered under snow. Thangu is close to China border. The Himalayan mountain range ends there and the plateau of Tibet begins.