A number of individuals have been killed and dozens extra have 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 hearth that was fanned by excessive winds and unfold from the sprawling navy facility into the encompassing rural space, Canadian officers mentioned.
Throughout a information convention on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned at the very least 4 service members have been killed within the blast and subsequent “violent hearth,” and that “dozens extra are critically wounded.”
Carney referred to 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 at the very least seven individuals have been killed and dozens extra have 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, outdoors of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press by way of
“I can not recall an incident like this in latest reminiscence,” Canadian Minister of Nationwide Protection David McGuinty mentioned 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 mentioned. Requested to supply particulars, McGuinty would solely say that “this can be a very, very energetic and delicate state of affairs.”
In an announcement on Sunday, the Canadian Division of Nationwide Protection mentioned, “There aren’t 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, outdoors of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press by way of
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 properly was struck and ignited the explosion.
A fireplace erupted throughout the coaching space of the navy base round 4 p.m. native time on Saturday, officers mentioned.
Paramedics work on the Wainwright Well being Centre as injured navy members are handled after a fireplace at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, outdoors of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press by way of
“The fireplace unfold quickly past the boundaries of the coaching space, whereas navy and civilian emergency companies responded rapidly to manage that fireplace and to help these affected by this tragic occasion,” the Canadian authorities mentioned in a statement Sunday morning.
Carney mentioned his workplace is gathering data on the “severe incident that triggered a large-scale hearth” 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, outdoors of Wainwright, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2026.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press by way of
“Our ideas are with all of the courageous ladies and men affected,” Carney mentioned 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 supplied particulars about what precipitated 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, practice for the toughest duties of our occupation,” Dragon mentioned. “Those that fell there served our widespread safety, and the Navy Committee will honor their reminiscence.”
Certainly one of Canada’s largest and busiest navy coaching bases, CFB Wainwright is the place troopers practice for fight operations, navy officers mentioned. The bottom is residence to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center, which conducts real looking battlefield workouts.
ABC Information’ Chris Barry, Matthew Holroyd and Michael O’Keefe contributed to this report.
