Sixteen Army soldiers, including three officers, were killed in a road accident in north Sikkim on Friday.

The Army truck that they were travelling in skidded down a steep slope at Zema, about 15 kms away from Lachen town, while negotiating a sharp turn, a statement said. The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning and was on its way to Thangu.

“A rescue mission was immediately launched, and four injured soldiers have been air evacuated,” according to the statement. “Unfortunately, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 13 soldiers succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident.”

The condition of the four injured Army personnel is not clear as of now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expresses condolences to the families of the deceased. “The nation is deeply grateful for their service and commitment,” Singh said on Twitter. “Praying for speedy recovery of the injured.”