The official reports from Bhutan confirmed that a series of explosions trigged by “expired” ammunition killed at least 11 Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) soldiers and technicians in Samar Gewog of Haa district, Monday.
The state-owned television reported that at least eight soldiers died on spot, while other three succumbed to death in a hospital. Five injured were airlifted by RBA to the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, reported BBS.
The soldiers and technicians were in Haa to remove the outdated ammunition, according to RBA Chief Operation Officer, Major General Batoo Tshering.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay condoled the soldiers’ death through Tweeter.
“Mourning the loss of lives in the Haa accident. Prayers for the victims and their families,” tweeted PM Tobgay from India, where he reached for the six-days-long state visit on August 30.
HM King Khesar (K5) has reached Haa for the site inspection. He is also learnt to have asked the RBA for “proper arrangement of the funeral rites of soldiers and technicians, and welfare of their families”.
