TASS reports four soldiers killed in Canada base blast, after earlier toll of seven
In short
TASS reported four military deaths in an explosion at a Canadian base, with Prime Minister Mark Carney saying dozens were injured. Earlier reports citing Global News put the death toll at at least seven at Wainwright base in Alberta.
Read the full story 1 min read
TASS reported four military deaths in an explosion at a Canadian base, with Prime Minister Mark Carney saying dozens of people were injured. The report, published at 20:20 on Oct. 18, followed earlier accounts of an explosion and fire at Wainwright military base in Alberta on Oct. 17. Vedomosti and Meduza, citing Global News, had reported at least seven deaths and dozens of injuries. The supplied reports therefore give different death tolls. [ 8 , 11 , 12 ]
Kommersant reported that Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed deaths and injuries without specifying numbers, describing the event that caused the fire as a serious incident. Interfax also reported that Carney did not provide details and that no cause had been officially announced. According to Vedomosti and Meduza, Global News sources said live-fire training struck a gas pipeline or gas well at the base, causing an explosion. Vedomosti put the explosion at about 16:00 local time on Oct. 17. [ 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
Vedomosti reported that winds gusting to 100 kilometres per hour drove flames beyond the base into the neighbouring municipal district of Wainwright. Fire crews from several jurisdictions brought the fire’s spread under control late on Oct. 17, and no evacuation of residents was announced, the outlet said. It also reported that district authorities established an emergency coordination centre and that the fire forced one Alberta referendum polling station to close early. Interfax, citing Associated Press, said patients were being taken to hospitals in Edmonton, 180 kilometres from the base, because nearby facilities could not cope with the influx. [ 8 , 10 ]
Why it matters
The explosion and fire caused deaths and injuries at a Canadian military training base. Reports described patients being taken to Edmonton hospitals and flames spreading beyond the base in strong winds.
Key facts
- An explosion and fire occurred at Wainwright military base in Alberta on Oct. 17. [ 8 , 11 ]
- TASS later reported four military deaths, with Carney saying dozens were injured. [ 12 ]
- Earlier reports citing Global News put the toll at at least seven dead and dozens injured. [ 8 , 11 ]
- Global News sources linked the explosion to live-fire training striking a gas pipeline or well, according to Vedomosti and Meduza. [ 8 , 11 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The reported death toll differs. TASS’s later report gives four military deaths, while earlier reports citing Global News give at least seven deaths.
- The cause has not been officially established in the supplied reports. Interfax says no cause had been officially announced; reports linking the blast to live-fire training rely on media sources.