Division 5 also promoted one soldier from Sergeant to Senior Sergeant; promoted 11 soldiers to Sergeant.

On December 5, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, on behalf of the Government, signed a decision to award certificates of merit to 12 soldiers.

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12 soldiers died. Photo: Military Region 7

The Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of National Defense to urgently organize a scene investigation, clarify the cause of the incident, and review and inspect all procedures in command and operation of the exercise.

The Prime Minister requested the organization to learn from experience, overcome limitations, and ensure absolute safety in training and exercises. Focus on stabilizing the mindset of officers and soldiers throughout the army; strictly maintain training and combat readiness according to regulations.

Previously, from December 1-4, Military Region 7 organized defensive combat drills in weather conditions at the end of the rainy season; with unusual thunderstorms, lightning and complex terrain.

At 8:27 p.m. on December 2, at the National Shooting Range Area 3 (Xuan Tam Commune, Xuan Loc District, Dong Nai Province), while carrying out the task of transporting explosives to the assembly location at the training ground, encountering bad weather, the working group consisting of a number of soldiers from Battalion 17, Division 5 paused and took a break near the location where the explosives were stored when suddenly the explosives exploded, causing many soldiers to be injured or killed.

Upon discovering the incident, the unit commander promptly arrived at the scene to handle the situation according to regulations. The initial cause was determined to be a lightning strike that triggered an electric detonator, causing the explosive to explode.

List of 12 martyrs:
1. Sergeant Major, martyr Dang Quoc Binh, Squad Leader, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
2. Sergeant, martyr Nguyen Bui Truong An, soldier, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
3. Sergeant, martyr Trinh Doan The Anh, Soldier, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
4. Sergeant, martyr Hong Chi Tai, Soldier, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
5. Sergeant, martyr Truong Van Tien, Soldier, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
6. Sergeant, martyr Thong Minh Kiet, Soldier, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
7. Sergeant, martyr Vo Thanh Hieu, Soldier, Platoon 8, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
8. Sergeant, martyr Pham Ngoc Hieu, Soldier, Platoon 8, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
9. Sergeant, martyr Lam Hoang Nhat, Soldier, Platoon 8, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
10. Sergeant, martyr Nguyen Ho Gia Huy, Soldier, Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
11. Sergeant, martyr Bui Hy Lap, Soldier, Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
12. Sergeant, martyr Nguyen Trong Hoa, Soldier, Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
Certificate of Merit awarded to 12 martyrs of Military Region 7

Certificate of Merit awarded to 12 martyrs of Military Region 7

On December 5, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh signed a decision to award the "Fatherland's Gratitude" certificate to 12 martyrs of the Ministry of National Defense.
Prime Minister requests clarification of cause of exercise accident in Military Region 7

Prime Minister requests clarification of cause of exercise accident in Military Region 7

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed an official dispatch on December 5 regarding overcoming the consequences of an accident during a drill at Military Region 7 (Xuan Tam commune, Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province).