The Gambia Armed Forces has announced that eight soldiers have been injured in a road accident while returning from a night patrol.

The crash occurred in the early hours of Sunday between the villages of Badari and Kundam in the Central River Region.

The soldiers, all from the 3 Infantry Battalion, were travelling back from a joint security operation when their vehicle was involved in the accident, which happened between 03:00 and 04:00 local time.

They were taken to Bansang Hospital for medical treatment. The extent of their injuries has not yet been confirmed.

In a statement, the Gambia Armed Forces said the Chief of Defence Staff had expressed his “thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery” to those injured.

Military police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

By Adama Makasuba