Four people died and dozens were injured in a fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta, according to official reports. The incident, which occurred during high-intensity combat training, has raised concerns about safety at the base. Prime Minister Mark Carney described it as one of the worst tragedies for the Canadian military in peacetime.
The fire broke out at 4pm on Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where soldiers were conducting combat training with live munitions. Strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly, leading to multiple casualties. Officials confirmed that four soldiers were killed and at least 19 were in critical condition.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a detailed account of the incident and has asked for the flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-mast in honor of the fallen. The Canadian military and emergency services are working to contain the situation and provide medical care to the injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The fire is believed to have started in a training area and spread quickly due to strong winds. Officials have ruled out any connection to terrorist activity or external interference. The base, which houses troops from Canada and allied countries, is a key location for live-fire training exercises.