Twelve Vietnamese soldiers lost their lives to an accidental explosion on Monday night according to state media. This fatal accident took place during a military training exercise at a military shooting range of the 7th Military Region in Dong Nai in southern Vietnam.
A report from a local military newspaper revealed that the group was transporting explosives when the explosion was triggered by an electronic detonator upon being hit by a lightning strike during a severe storm.
It also stated that most of the victims’ bodies have been recovered, with authorities still searching for the missing, quoted news agency AFP.
State run Vietnam News Agency reported that an urgent investigation of the incident has been ordered by the ministry of defence.
The incident occurred one day after defence minister Phan Van Giang delivered a speech to mark the beginning of the combat exercise, as reported by the state newspaper Nhan Dan.
