A number of individuals had been killed and dozens extra had been injured when an explosion erupted at a Canadian navy base, in response to authorities.
The lethal blast occurred on Saturday afternoon on the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta province, igniting a large fireplace that was fanned by excessive winds and unfold from the sprawling navy facility into the encircling rural space, Canadian officers stated.
Throughout a information convention on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated not less than 4 service members had been killed within the blast and subsequent “violent fireplace,” and that “dozens extra are severely wounded.”
Carney known as the incident “one of many worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime.”
Citing a number of navy sources, the Canadian World Tv Community’s World Information reported earlier on Sunday that not less than seven individuals had been killed and dozens extra had been injured.
Paramedics load an injured individual into an ambulance on the Wainwright Well being Centre as injured navy members are handled after a fireplace at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, exterior of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press through
“I can’t recall an incident like this in current reminiscence,” Canadian Minister of Nationwide Protection David McGuinty stated throughout a information convention on Saturday night time on the navy base close to the small city of Wainwright.
The reason for the explosion is beneath investigation, navy officers stated. Requested to offer particulars, McGuinty would solely say that “this can be a very, very energetic and delicate scenario.”
In a press release on Sunday, the Canadian Division of Nationwide Protection stated, “There are not any indications that it was the results of any terrorist exercise.”
Emergency crews and navy personnel collect on the Wainwright Well being Centre as injured navy members are handled after a fireplace at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, exterior of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press through
A number of Canadian Armed Forces sources instructed CGTV’s World Information that the incident occurred throughout a live-fire coaching train, and {that a} fuel line or a fuel effectively was struck and ignited the explosion.
A fireplace erupted inside the coaching space of the navy base round 4 p.m. native time on Saturday, officers stated.
Paramedics work on the Wainwright Well being Centre as injured navy members are handled after a fireplace at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, exterior of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press through
“The fireplace unfold quickly past the boundaries of the coaching space, whereas navy and civilian emergency companies responded shortly to manage that fireside and to assist these affected by this tragic occasion,” the Canadian authorities stated in a statement Sunday morning.
Carney stated his workplace is gathering info on the “severe incident that triggered a large-scale fireplace” at a navy base.
Emergency crews and navy personnel are seen on the Wainwright Well being Centre as injured navy members are handled after a fireplace at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, exterior of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press through
“Our ideas are with all of the courageous ladies and men affected,” Carney stated in a social media post.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a social media post that the “important and tragic” incident is affecting many navy personnel.
Neither Carney nor Smith offered particulars about what induced the fireplace.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragon, chair of the NATO Navy Committee, additionally addressed the incident in a social media put up on Sunday, saying, “Canada doesn’t carry this grief alone. All 32 Allied Chiefs of Protection stand with you and the Canadian Armed Forces.”
“Wainwright is the place Canadian troopers, and so many Allies with them, prepare for the toughest duties of our career,” Dragon stated. “Those that fell there served our widespread safety, and the Navy Committee will honor their reminiscence.”
One in every of Canada’s largest and busiest navy coaching bases, CFB Wainwright is the place troopers prepare for fight operations, navy officers stated. The bottom is house to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center, which conducts sensible battlefield workout routines.
ABC Information’ Chris Barry, Matthew Holroyd and Michael O’Keefe contributed to this report.
