An explosion occurred during a defense combat exercise conducted by Military Region 7 in southern Vietnam on Monday, causing 12 soldiers to initially go missing, with most of their bodies having been found later, the Ministry of National Defense said on Wednesday. 

The military drill took place from December 1 to 4 and involved armed forces from localities within the military region and from the ministry.  

The four-day defense combat exercise was conducted amid harsh weather conditions in complex terrain, the ministry said on Wednesday. 

At 8:27 pm on Monday, at the National Shooting Range Area 3 in Dong Nai Province, a team of soldiers was transporting a block of explosives to a designated assembly point when the area was hit by heavy rain with thunderstorms.

The team, from Battalion 17 of Division 5, was taking a break waiting for the rain to cease when the explosives they were carrying detonated.

The 12 soldiers were initially reported missing following the blast, and most of their bodies were found later.

A search for the remaining soldiers is ongoing. 

Initial reports suggest that lightning could have struck the electrical detonator of the block of explosives, triggering the blast.

The ministry has directed the Command of Military Region 7 to examine the scene of explosion, step up searching for the remaining victims, investigate the incident’s cause, and visit the victims’ families for condolence and support.

Military Region 7 includes nine provinces and cities in the southeast, south-central, and Central Highlands regions, including Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Long An, Tay Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City.

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