At least seven people have been killed and dozens injured following a major explosion and fire at Base Wainwright in Alberta, Canada, during a live-fire military training exercise on Saturday.
Canadian military paratroopers were deployed to the base as emergency services responded to the incident. Video footage showed members of the Royal Canadian Air Force packing their parachutes after landing.
The explosion reportedly occurred after a gas line or well was struck during the exercise, according to Global News. The fire broke out at approximately 4pm local time before spreading to the surrounding area.
Paratroopers Deployed as Emergency Response Intensifies
More than a dozen Canadian Armed Forces personnel parachuted into the Wainwright area following the explosion, according to Global News correspondent Jeff Semple.
In a post on X, Semple said the personnel arrived at the local health centre to assist with the response to the explosion and fire at the nearby military base.
Paramedics and other emergency workers were also seen treating injured military personnel at Wainwright Health Centre as efforts continued to manage the casualties.
Edmonton Hospitals Face Influx of Injured Patients
Hospitals in Edmonton, approximately 120 miles northwest of Base Wainwright, were preparing to receive and treat large numbers of patients following the incident.
Warren Thirsk, an emergency department doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News that medical staff were dealing with an overwhelming number of patients.
Thirsk described the incident as a disaster of a scale that could occur only once every 15 to 25 years. He said the number of patients would overwhelm Edmonton if the city had to manage the emergency without additional preparations.
He added that hospitals were clearing capacity and mobilising resources to respond to the situation.
Strong Winds Complicate Firefighting Efforts
Firefighters faced difficult conditions as a windstorm moved across large parts of Alberta, with gusts reaching up to 62 miles per hour.
The strong winds brought down trees and sent street signs flying, creating additional challenges for emergency crews responding to the fire.
Despite the incident, authorities did not issue an evacuation order for the nearby town of Wainwright, which has a population of approximately 7,000.
Canadian Defence Minister Confirms Fatalities
Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed that people had died in the incident and said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in investigating the fire.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, McGuinty described the situation as highly active and delicate. He also said he could not recall a similar incident in recent memory.
Authorities were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion. McGuinty said further information would be released over the following hours and days.
The cause of the blast had not been conclusively established in the information released following the incident.
Canadian Prime Minister and Alberta Premier Respond
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the incident at CFB Wainwright and expressed support for those affected.
Carney said a serious incident had caused a major fire at the Alberta military base and extended his thoughts to the military personnel and others impacted.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also described the fire as significant and tragic. She thanked emergency responders and those providing medical care to the injured.
Base Wainwright Is a Major Military Training Facility
Base Wainwright hosts the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, as well as the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.
The facility is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases and a major location for live-fire exercises.
Census data indicated that 1,310 military and civilian personnel were stationed at the base in 2021.
Explosion Disrupts Advance Voting in Alberta
The incident also affected advance voting ahead of a referendum scheduled for Monday concerning whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada.
Elections Alberta confirmed that two polling locations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early on Saturday because of the situation.
The agency said ballots from the affected locations were transported securely.
Investigations into the explosion and fire at Base Wainwright remained ongoing.
