Sergeant Major Claudiu Constantin Vulpoiu died, while 2nd Lieutenant Ionut Alin Marinescu, Sergeant Major Florin Ionel Murarescu and corporals 3rd class Marius Cristian Canuci, Marius Bogdan Radu and Eugen Valentin Patru were injured in Afghanistan, on Sunday, 30 March, following a suicide attack when a vehicle loaded with explosives drove into the combat vehicle.

Sergeant Major Claudiu Constantin Vulpoiu has been a 35 years old employee of the Minister of National Defence since 2001, was married and had one child. He had been in six other missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Romanian soldiers of the Maneuver Battalion deployed to Zabul Province were in a patrol mission with three MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected), on A1 route, some 10 kilometers south-west of Forward Operating Base Mescall. The soldiers were given first aid and then transported with a medevac helicopter to the hospital in Kandahar.

The Minister of National Defence sends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased soldier and asked to be updated on the evolution of the injured men.

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There are 1,000 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan at present. Since 2002, when Romania has begun to help in the reconstruction of this country, 23 soldiers fell on duty, while other 130 were injured.

So far, the Romanian military lost 26 soldiers in the theaters of operations where it was involved, while other 140 were injured.

As of 1991, about 40,000 troops were deployed in conflict areas to participate in peacekeeping operations.

MoND Press Office