Deaths Confirmed After 'Serious Incident,' Fire at Canada Military Base in Alberta

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty has confirmed today that people were killed and injured in a serious incident that ​resulted in a fire on one of Canada's busiest military bases in Alberta.

He said, "I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a ​result of an incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright."

He did not say how ⁠many people were killed or injured, or what caused the "tragic" ​situation at the base in the east-central part of the ​province, about 210 km (130 miles) east of Edmonton.

A major fire was still burning last evening.

The Canadian Defence Minister further emphasized that the Canadian military and the Royal Canadian Mounted ​Police are investigating the incident.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social ⁠media that the national government was "working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities."

CFB Wainwright had 1,310 military and civilian personnel stationed there as of 2021, according to census data. The ​town of Wainwright, ​population about ⁠6,600, is just north of the base.

The municipality posted on social media that the fire had ​crossed the base fence into the nearby district, ​but ⁠no evacuation orders had been issued.

General Jennie Carignan, the chief of Canada's Defense Staff, said on social media that the Canadian forces ⁠are ​fully engaged with federal, provincial and local ​authorities.

"Our priority remains the welfare of our members, their families and their community," ​she said.

Source: Reuters