A fifth Canadian soldier has died of his wounds when a large vegetable fire swept over a military training area last month.
Initially, four people lost their lives, and dozens more were injured after the fire, which broke out during an actual ammunition drill, spread rapidly to the base of the Canadian Wainwright Forces on October 17, driven by strong winds.
Private William Douglas Dal Bianco, who was receiving medical treatment in Ontario, died on Friday, Canadian Armed Forces announced.
Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on the X platform that Canadians are keeping in mind the relatives of soldier Daal Bianco, as well as all those still facing the pain after this tragedy.
Canadian Armed Forces announced that 24 army members continued to be treated at the hospital, while another 14 had been released from the hospital until Saturday. In total, 38 army members were injured.
Members of the first Canadian Mechanised Brigade Group were conducting real ammunition exercises at Wainwright Base in Alberta, when fire broke out.
Military officials had claimed that the fire had spread to a square of a mile in seconds, surpriseing many on the base.
Firefighters fought fires all night, while hospitals in the vicinity were filled with injured members and medical personnel.
Prime Minister Carney described the event as one of the worst tragedies for the Canadian Armed Forces in peacetime, in the territory of the country.
An investigation has found that the fire was probably caused by firing a grenade launcher at the base grenade range, officials reported.
Firefighters at the base had been aware of the fire but could not intervene, since it was in a dangerous area where explosives could be unbroken.
Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, said the country’s Armed Forces are saddened by the death of Daal Banco.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister David McGwinty expressed his deepest condolences to the soldier’s family, friends, and colleagues.
No word can ease the pain of losing a loved one. My thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragedy, he said.
He added that institutions will continue to support Canadian Armed Forces families and communities in this difficult period, as well as honour the service, dedication and sacrifice of soldier Dal Bianco for Canada, the BBC reports.
Source Layer: RTKLive