Two soldiers were killed in a road accident on Friday after a truck they were riding on lost its brakes on the way from Sugapa district to Hitadipa district in Papua’s Intan Jaya regency.
The truck was carrying 17 personnel of Infantry Batallion (Yonif) Raider 400/BR. While passing Kampung Mamba in Sugapa district, the driver lost control of the vehicle due to failing brakes.
First Sgt. Heri Susanto and First Pvt. Jhan Risky Pratama Purbatua died on the scene. Thirteen other soldiers sustained severe injuries, while two others were mildly injured.
Col. Gusti Nyoman Suriastawa, the spokesperson of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) III, said the military had handled the accident with the help of local residents.
“The injured have been taken to the Intan Jaya General Hospital,” Suriastawa said in a statement on Friday.
He added that the military had secured all weapons and munition from the truck.
Suriastawa went on to say that the TNI leaders extended their deep condolences over the death of the two soldiers. He also thanked members of the community who had helped evacuate the victims.
