Alberta premier says 39 people hospitalized, at least 19 critical after fire at Canada military base
Officials say 39 people were hospitalized, including 19 in critical condition, as the cause of the blaze remained under investigation.
- On Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that four service members were killed and dozens injured in a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta during military training Saturday.
- Fierce winds reaching 100 kph whipped flames beyond the base into surrounding rural areas Saturday, forcing emergency crews to scramble to contain the blaze near the town of Wainwright.
- Healthcare facilities around the base became "completely overwhelmed" by patients, with at least 10 ambulances positioned at the Wainwright health center as victims were transported to hospitals in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary.
- Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating the incident, though the military ruled out terrorism as a cause; Carney ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of victims.
- The blaze disrupted advance voting for Monday's Alberta referendum, forcing Elections Alberta to relocate polling stations in Lloydminster and Vermilion. Mayoral candidate Cathy Keane revealed her son was among the critically injured personnel.
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249 Articles
4 Canadian soldiers killed, 39 injured in training fire
Four Canadian soldiers were killed and 39 others were injured when a fast-moving grass fire swept through a military training area in Alberta, according to officials. At least 19 of the injured are in critical condition. The incident happened at about 4 p.m. on Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where members of the 3rd […]
Zeit Online
Following the fire at Canada's Wainwright military base, 39 patients are in hospital, at least 19 of them in critical condition, reported by the provincial Prime Minister, Alberta Daniel Smith.
"The nation is in mourning" after "one of the worst tragedies that hit the forces [armies] on Canadian soil in peacetime," said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a solemn address in Ottawa.
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