According to the Associated Press, an accident occurred at the Wainwright Military Base in Alberta, Canada on October 17th local time, causing a severe fire and resulting in casualties.
"I am deeply saddened to inform everyone that the incident at the base has resulted in fatalities and injuries." Canada's Defence Minister David MacCameron said.
McIndy did not disclose the exact number of casualties, nor did he reveal the cause of the accident. He stated that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are involved in the investigation, and described the current situation as “very, very complex and sensitive, and still changing.”
The Canadian Royal Mounted Police reported that just after 4 p.m. on the 17th, they received a report of a fire in a training area at the Wineland Military Base, and promptly sent officers to the scene.
The local government stated that the fire has spread beyond the fences surrounding the military base, and it is spreading rapidly under strong winds. Firefighters from various areas are participating in the firefighting efforts, and no evacuation orders have been issued yet.
Alberta Provincial Governor Daniel Smith described the fire as "severe and distressing," and stated that many military personnel were affected.
According to reports, Wainwright Base is located about 180 kilometers southeast of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province. It is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases. The base houses the Canadian Mobile Combat Training Center, which conducts exercises in a realistic battlefield environment. The Canadian Army’s 3rd Division Training Center, responsible for military training, is also located here.
McIndy said that the relevant departments are still working to determine the course of the accident, and more information is expected to be released in the future.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the federal government is working closely with officials in Alberta and local authorities. He mentioned that he has maintained close contact with Smith, and both ministers and officials are continuing to communicate with each other.
Neither Kanne nor Smith revealed the cause of the fire, nor did they provide specific information on the injuries sustained by the relevant personnel.
It is worth mentioning that Alberta will hold a referendum on October 19, where it will decide whether to request the provincial government to initiate relevant legal procedures, paving the way for a future referendum on independence from Canada. The fire also affected the voting process, resulting in the early closure of two local polling stations on the 17th. However, the ballots have been safely transported.
