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Canadian officials confirmed a deadly incident took place at one of the country’s busiest military bases Saturday that killed and injured people and sparked a major fire.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said a “serious incident creating a major fire” broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday afternoon.
“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Carney said on X, noting that he is “working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities.”
At least seven people were killed in the tragedy, according to Global News, citing multiple military sources.
The outlet, citing Canadian Armed Forces sources, also reported that the explosion occurred during a live-fire training exercise where a gas line or well was struck.
Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed “there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” at an evening news conference in Ottawa, CBC News reported.
While McGuinty did not provide details as to what caused the incident or the number of deaths, he stressed he “cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.”
The defense minister said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and described the deadly situation as “very, very active and delicate.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic fire” which is “affecting many of our brave military personnel,” in an X post.
The fire had jumped across the base’s fence and was spreading rapidly due to high winds in the area, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright.
No evacuation order was in effect but firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were helping to extinguish the blaze.
Officials warned residents to stay clear of the area as emergency responders actively work on the situation.
Canadian Forces Base Wainright, located around 110 miles southeast of Edmonton, is one of the nation’s busiest military training bases where soldiers prepare for combat operations.
The base has around 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers, CBC reported.
With Post wires.
