Seven soldiers killed as vehicle with 26 soldiers falls in Ladakh’s Shyok river

The soldiers were moving to a forward location in Sub Sector Hanif when the vehicle carrying them fell in the river.

Army personnel gather at the site after a vehicle carrying jawans fell in the Shyok river at the Turtuk area in Ladakh on May 27, 2022. Photo: Twitter/@prasarbharti via PTI

Seven soldiers were killed after a vehicle with 26 soldiers moving from the Transit Camp in Partapur in Ladakh to a forward location in Sub Sector Hanif skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river resulting in injuries to all occupants.

“At approx 0900h, around 25km from Thoise, the vehicle skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river, to a depth of approx 50-60 feet, resulting in injuries to all occupants,” an Army source said on Friday. All 26 individuals have been evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and surgical teams from Leh have moved to Partapur, the source said.

Initially, all 26 individuals were evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and surgical teams from Leh were moved to Partapur.

“Seven individuals have been declared dead so far. There are grievous injuries to others as well,” the source said.

All 19 were shifted to Western Command at Chandimandir later.

Ladakh accident: PM expresses anguish

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed anguish over the road accident in Ladakh in which seven army personnel lost their lives and said all possible assistance is being given to those affected.

“Anguished by the bus accident in Ladakh in which we have lost our brave army personnel,” Mr. Modi said in a tweet.

“My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being given to the affected,” he said.