Multiple people dead, injured in 'disaster' at Alberta military base training area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A34fhs8uCW4?si=m7Ratq7O60Z-pqA0
Premier Smith says 'significant and tragic fire' affected personnel at CFB Wainwright
Deaths, injuries after fire at Alberta military base training area, officials say
Federal Defence Minister David McGuinty says people have been killed and injured in an incident at CFB Wainwright in Alberta that caused a major fire.
Multiple people have been hurt or killed after a significant fire burned at a large training area on a Canadian Forces Base in east-central Alberta on Saturday.
Canada's minister of national defence did not confirm how many people died, but an emergency care physician in Edmonton described the incident at CFB Wainwright as "a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster.”
Officials called a "code orange" response protocol in Edmonton to help care for a high number of patients coming from the base, while the general public was asked to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the incident affected "many of our brave military personnel." Prime Minister Mark Carney also described the fire as "serious."
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The chair of the NATO Military Committee released a statement on social media on Sunday morning.
"Canada does not carry this grief alone. All 32 allied chiefs of defence stand with you and the Canadian Armed Forces," Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone posted on X.
He says Wainwright, Alta., is where not only Canadian soldiers train, but many allies with them.
Dragone extended his condolences for those lost, and wished a full recovery for the injured.
Wainwright mayor reacts to 'largest mass casualty event we've seen'
Mayor Bruce Pugh says it's a heavy day in Wainwright, Alta., but the fatal fire that started on a nearby military base has been contained and is not a danger to the town.
We’ve just heard from the mayor of Wainwright, a town near the base. Bruce Pugh says the town has been supporting the emergency response in every way it can.
“So as far as the involvement of our town, our first responders, our fire department has been fighting the fire and our local hospital has been treating the patients as they've been brought into it, trying to do the best we absolutely can,” Pugh told my colleague Jessica Campbell, who is on the ground in Wainwright.
Pugh said it’s a very heavy day for the town and he’s worried about his friends, colleagues, and community.
“We have neighbours who are either serving or former members of the Canadian Armed Forces. We're integrated, our kids playing the same hockey teams, attend the same schools,” he said.
“We share our lives. And so that part is very hard. Of course, we're also really worried about our community members and friends and neighbours who work in our Wainwright hospital.”
Pugh wasn’t able to confirm fatality or injury numbers either, but said although details are “sketchy,” he believes this incident would be the largest mass casualty event the community has ever seen.
Next of kin notification underway
Emily Rae Pasiuk
We’ve just received an emailed statement from the Canadian Armed Forces. The statement said the fire started around 4 p.m. local time and spread rapidly beyond the training area.
The statement notes the incident resulted “in fatalities and injuries” but said there won’t be more details on deaths or injuries until the next of kin notification process is complete.
“Our immediate priority is supporting those affected and notifying next of kin. We will not confirm casualty or injury details until that process is complete,” the CAF said in its statement.
General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, extended condolences to those affected.
“This is a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces. Our immediate focus remains on supporting those affected, assisting emergency response efforts, and ensuring the well-being of our members, their families, and the surrounding community,” said Carignan.
“While casualty identification and notification processes are ongoing, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with all those impacted by this tragic incident.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/livestory/cfb-wainwright-fire-live-updates-9.7385537
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