Four Romanian servicemen were injured on Saturday, around 10:00hrs, local time, while conducting a mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the National Defence Ministry (MApN) announced.
According to a MApN release, a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored column – operated by the servicemen of the 300th “St. Andrew” Force Protection Battalion, who were on a mission in their area of responsibility in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, was attacked by an improvised explosive device, followed by the insurgents’ light infantry weapons attack.
The Romanian infantry men acted according to the procedures and rejected the insurgent attack, having ground and air support from the US forces, the MApN mentions.
The four injured soldiers were evacuated by land to the military hospital of the Kandahar Air Base, all of them being conscious and stable.
Following the medical assessments, the servicemen were hospitalised, two of them with fractures in the lower limbs area, one with a closed cranial trauma and the fourth with thoracic fracture. Their condition is stable.
“‘Details regarding the identity of the servicemen involved in this incident will be made public, according to the enforceable standard procedures, only after informing their families. The MApN leadership is constantly informed about the situation and closely watches the development of the servicemen’s health status,” the Defense Ministry informs.
Subsequently, National Defence Minister Gabriel Les mentioned on a Facebook post that the information regarding the health status of the injured servicemen is encouraging.
“Four of our comrades were injured this morning during a mission, in the theater of operations in Afghanistan. They received the medical support they needed, they were evacuated and transported to the hospital, all being conscious. The information about their health status is encouraging, I am constantly informed about the medical development and I stand by them and their families,” the Minister stated.
MApN brings clarifications regarding the identity of the injured soldiers
The four Romanian servicemen injured on Saturday in Afghanistan are staff sergeant Danut Dontu and 3rd class corporals Cosmin-Catalin Goleanu, Cristian Gabar and Ionel Cristea are stable and hospitalised at the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit Kandahar Air Field, the National Defence Ministry (MApN) informed later in the day.
They are servicemen of the 300th “St. Andrew” Force Protection Battalion.
Following the incident, also damaged was the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicle with roller where the servicemen were.
At the Battalion level, a commission investigating the circumstances in which the event happened, led by the Chief of General Staff of the unit was established, the MApN mentions.
President Iohannis: I wish them speedy recovery
President Klaus Iohannis conveyed on Saturday a message following the attack which took place in Kandahar, Afghanistan, that resulted in the injury of four Romanian servicemen. The head of state wished them speedy recovery and a lot of strength so they can pass over these critical moments.
“My thoughts go to the Romanian servicemen injured during the mission they are conducting in Afghanistan. I wish them speedy recovery and a lot of strength so they can pass over well these critical moments. Moreover, I convey to the families of our servicemen that I stand besides them and I assure them that their loved ones receive the best medical care. The Romanian servicemen have always proven professionalism and the dedication in conducting their activities in the theaters of war contributes to maintaining international peace and security” reads the President’s message.
