Presented to the Prime Minister for granting certificates of national merit to 12 soldiers who died during a drill

Specifically, in the submission No. 85/TTr-LĐTBXH dated December 5, 2024, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung clearly stated that the basis for submitting to the Prime Minister to grant the "Fatherland's Gratitude" certificate to 12 martyrs is to implement the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for People with Meritorious Services to the Revolution No. 02/2020/UBTVQH14 of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Decree 131/2021/ND-CP of the Government detailing and implementing measures for the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for People with Meritorious Services to the Revolution.

Accordingly, the leaders of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs respectfully submitted to the Prime Minister to grant certificates of merit to 12 cases eligible for recognition as martyrs under the Ministry of National Defense. The 12 soldiers who sacrificed their lives and requested to be granted certificates of merit and recognition as martyrs are officers and soldiers of Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7 (Ministry of National Defense).

Previously, from December 1-4, 2024, Military Region 7 organized a defensive combat exercise in harsh weather conditions and complex terrain.

At the National Shooting Range Area 3 (Xuan Tam Commune, Xuan Loc District, Dong Nai Province), at 20:27 on December 2, 2024, while carrying out the task of transporting explosives to the assembly location, it rained heavily and thundered, the working group consisting of a number of soldiers from Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7 paused and took a break. Suddenly, the explosives exploded, causing many soldiers to be injured or killed.

As soon as the incident occurred, the unit commander promptly arrived to handle it according to regulations. The total number of missing soldiers is 12 comrades, and most of the soldiers' bodies have been found. The unit is still searching. The initial cause was determined to be lightning striking the detonator, causing the electric detonator to detonate, causing the explosive to explode.

The Ministry of National Defense has directed the Military Region 7 Command to direct agencies and units to urgently organize crime scene investigation, search for victims, and investigate the incident; at the same time, coordinate with local Party committees and authorities to encourage and share the pain and loss of the families of soldiers and carry out policy work for the wounded and dead comrades. This is a great loss that cannot be compensated for the unit, families, relatives, comrades and teammates.