Explosion and fire at Canadian military base lead to multiple deaths

Por Mike Blanchfield — POLITICO – TOP Stories

A deadly explosion and fire Saturday at Canada‘s main NATO military training base caused multiple deaths and injuries in what the country’s defense minister says is an unprecedented incident.

“I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” Defense Minister David McGuinty said Saturday.

The impact of Saturday’s fire at CFB Wainwright, Alberta, was still being assessed Sunday morning, one day before voters in this province head to the polls in a vote on whether they want to separate from Canada.

“This is not the time to speak about that issue at this stage,” McGuinty said, when asked about the impact on the Monday vote.

The fire “ignited” in the training area of the Wainwright base at 4 p.m. local time Saturday, spreading rapidly beyond its boundaries, the Department of National Defence said in a statement Sunday. Winds of more than 60 mph were reported in the area.

McGuinty said the RCMP was investigating the cause of the fire in what he called a “very active and delicate” investigation. The blaze was also being battled by local emergency responders in the northern Alberta community of about 7,000. The number of dead and injured was not being released.

“As emergency responders continue their work and the situation continues to evolve, the full extent of the impact remains under assessment. Our immediate priority is those affected and notifying next of kin,” the department said in a statement.

“We will not confirm casualty or injury details until that process is complete.”

Canada’s top soldier, Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defense staff, would not discuss details in a statement. “This is a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces,” she said.

McGuinty said he had spoken with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, both of whom were in the province campaigning for national unity ahead of Monday’s vote, on whether Albertans want to move forward with a legal process to begin separating from Canada.

“Our thoughts are with the brave women and men affected,” Carney said in a statement.

While separatists are low in the polls, Carney has barnstormed Alberta this week to guard against a complacent lack of turnout by over confident voters who support staying in Canada.

Carney was the Bank of England governor during Brexit, and has repeatedly held it out as a warning about the effect of unintended consequences.

Wainwright is Canada’s largest live-fire army training base where infantry, artillery and air support assets are put through their paces. It was the training ground for the Canadian personnel who joined the NATO war in Afghanistan.

“Canada does not carry this grief alone. All 32 Allied Chiefs of Defence stand with you and the Canadian Armed Forces,” Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the chair of the NATO military committee said in a social media statement.

“Wainwright is where Canadian soldiers, and so many Allies with them, train for the hardest tasks of our profession. Those who fell there served our common security, and the Military Committee will honour their memory.”

More details on the cause and impact of the fire are expected later Sunday.

Fonte: POLITICO – TOP Stories