After two aircraft crashed and killed eight soldiers at the beginning of March, a new incident cast a shadow over the competency of the Romanian Army. The National Defense Ministry has announced another tragedy and fuels questions regarding the level of training and the reliability of the vehicles and aircraft used.
An incident took place on Friday, March 18, during a military training activity of the Romanian Army.
A non-commissioned officer died during a tank driving exercise in the Smardan shooting range in Galati County, South Eastern Romania. The soldier was coordinating maneuvers to help one colleague to move a tank, at which point it was caught between the moving tank and one of the sides of the site where the military vehicle took place.
According to the procedures, the Emergency Service was called, and a medical crew arrived at the scene. Unfortunately, the soldier died from the injuries suffered.
According to the National Defence Ministry, the Galati Judicial Police conducts investigations on the spot. The Military Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Military Tribunal in Iasi county has been notified. A commission headed by the Chief of Staff has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of the event.
Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca sent his condolences to the family:
I am with the family of the soldier who lost his life in Smardan, during the training activity with the tanks. Unfortunately, a routine training activity turned into a tragedy. A 35-year-old man lost his life on duty. Condolences to the grieving family! God rest his soul!
Nicolae Ciuca, Romanian Prime Minister
The incident comes in a context when the Romanian Army is supposed to show its level of competency and training. Unfortunately, nine lost their life in March without even being involved in combat.
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