Spanish soldier dies in road accident in Mali

(B2) A Spanish marine who participated in the European training mission of the Malian army (EUTM Mali) died this Friday (May 18) in Mali, in a road accident, the state has just announced- major in the Spanish army.

A road accident

The vehicle (an Iveco Lince), in which was Antonio Carrero Jiménez, left the road in the vicinity of the town of Somadougou, 40 km south of Sévaré in central Mali, according to the first indications. The crash happened at 8:55 a.m. this morning. Three other Spanish soldiers were on board: two were injured and the fourth occupant was unharmed. They were transferred to the Koulikoro camp, where the EUTM Mali training camp and most of the Spanish detachment in the region is located. Aged 27, Antonio Carrero Jiménez was from Dos Hermanas (Seville). He was a member of the 2nd Marine Infantry Landing Battalion, based in San Fernando (Cádiz).

On deployment to Sévaré

The convoy was returning from a support mission for the Malian army. The EUTM Mali mission has very recently seen its mandate broadened to include support for the G5 Sahel and carry out more decentralized activities in the various points where the Malian army is based (read: The EUTM Mali mission extended, its mandate expanded). In particular, it must establish a permanent training base in Sévaré (read: EUTM Mali is preparing its deployment to the north of the country. Increasing budget).

60th death in European mission

This is the 60th death to be deplored in the context of European foreign policy, according to data compiled by B2 (see database memoriam)

Spain framework nation

Spain, with a total of 292 soldiers, including 60 marines, provides a good part of the workforce of the European mission. It is moreover a Spaniard, Brigadier General Enrique Millán Martínez, who has commanded the mission since last January 30.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Photo credit: Spanish Army General Staff