TWO PEACEKEEPERS KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT

Two United Nations Peacekeepers were killed yesterday when a military truck in which they were travelling overturned three kilometers east of Dili.

The fatalities are Tsg Antonio Bagano of the Philippine Army and Sgt Emmanel Villanueva of the Philippine Air Force.

The two Peacekeepers were among 16 personnel who were en route to Manatuto district in a truck transporting military equipment to the Battalion headquarters.

A preliminary investigation revealed that as the convoy of trucks was moving downhill, the last vehicle developed a mechanical failure and lost its brake, prompting the driver to stop it by hitting a flat hillside which caused the vehicle to overturn.

The fatalities were seated in the front seat with the driver. The driver and four soldiers seated in the back of the truck sustained minor injuries and were taken to the UN Military Hospital in Dili for treatment.

Force Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsrang Niumpradit called for a moment of silence during a prayer for the dead soldiers at today’s morning brief at the Peacekeeping Force Headquarters in Dili.

A funeral service will be held at Dili airport tomorrow, 3 October, before the remains are flown to the Philippines via Darwin, Australia.