Sikkim accident: 16 soldiers killed as Army truck falls into gorge

In a tragic incident, three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 13 soldiers of the Indian Army were killed when a truck in which they were traveling fell into a deep gorge in North Sikkim on Friday (December 23). The Indian Army said in a statement that the accident occurred in Zema.

The vehicle in which the jawans were traveling was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatan towards Thangu in the morning. According to reports, 4 Army jawans injured in the accident were air-evacuated for treatment.

In a tragic road accident, involving an Army Truck on 23 Dec at Zema, North #Sikkim,16 Bravehearts of the #IndianArmy have lost their lives.
The ill-fated vehicle was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu.@indiatvnews

— Manish Prasad (@manishindiatv) December 23, 2022

The army said the accident vehicle was part of a convoy of three vehicles, which had moved from Chatan towards Thangu in the morning. On its way to Jemaa, the vehicle skidded at a sharp turn and fell into a gorge below. A rescue operation was launched immediately after the accident and four injured soldiers were airlifted.

The Indian Army said that unfortunately, three junior commissioned officers and 13 soldiers were martyred in the accident. In this hour of grief, the Indian Army stands with the bereaved families. North Sikkim is a very dangerous area. This area is completely covered with snow these days.

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

Expressing grief over the accident, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of Indian Army soldiers due to a road accident in North Sikkim. The nation remembers their Heartfelt gratitude for the service and commitment.

My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.” President Draupadi Murmu has expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the 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. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also expressed grief over the death of the soldiers. “Shocked to hear the news of the tragic road accident in Jema, Sikkim in which 16 of our brave army personnel have lost their lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” he wrote on Twitter.