Soldiers on Training Caught in Sudden Blaze: 4 Dead, 39 Injured

[Anchor]

Soldiers conducting outdoor combat training in Canada were suddenly engulfed by spreading flames, leaving 4 dead and 39 injured. It is reported that while they were aware of a nearby fire, strong winds caused the flames to sweep over them instantly, preventing them from escaping the tragedy.

Reporter Kim Minpyo has the details.

[Reporter]

Flags are flying at half-staff at a military base in Alberta, Canada.

Fire engines are putting out remaining embers at a training area near the base.

On the afternoon of the 17th local time, a fire broke out here and swept over soldiers who were undergoing training, killing 4 people and injuring 39 others.

Among the injured, 19 suffered severe burns and are in critical condition.

Twenty-two ambulances, 6 transport planes, and 2 helicopters were mobilized to transport the injured to 4 different hospitals.

[Brandon Simmons/Convalescent Hospital Patient (Witness): I saw a man running with his pants blown off. I also saw people getting out from behind a military vehicle. It was literally like a scene from a war movie.]

At the time, strong winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour were blowing in the area, strong enough to knock down trees and blow away road signs.

Military officials reportedly knew about the fire and continued the training believing it would be sufficiently contained, but they were reportedly helpless against the unpredictable and violent winds.

[Wade Rutland/Commander, 1st Canadian Division (Major General): The field commander said that just 30 seconds to a minute prior, no flames were visible before the fire instantly engulfed them.]

At the time of the fire, 84 unit members were conducting combat training to support Canadian forces stationed in Latvia next spring.

[Mark Carney/Prime Minister of Canada: This is one of the most devastating tragedies to occur on Canadian soil during peacetime in military history.]

Various firearms, including grenade launchers and hand grenades, were used in the training, but it has not yet been determined whether the fire was caused by them or by another factor.

(Video by Jung Yong-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.