SA soldiers hurt after vehicle rolls

Pretoria – Thirteen soldiers were injured in Burundi yesterday when their Casspir armoured personnel carrier overturned.

The vehicle overturned while the troops were conducting a patrol in the Nyabiraba area near Bujumbura, the SA National Defence Force said in a statement.

The troops were taken to a UN hospital in Bujumbura. Twelve were treated for light injuries and one was admitted with serious injuries. The UN mission in Burundi and the commander of the South African component are investigating.

The Casspir has a low centre of gravity but many roads in the Great Lakes state are narrow, in poor repair and in hilly terrain.

South Africans who have served in Burundi have often commented on the difficulties encountered driving military vehicles there. A Casspir can carry up to 14 people. – Sapa