Johannesburg – Six South African soldiers were killed after a fire broke out at an army training centre in the northeast of the country, the military said on Saturday.
The South African Army said the fire ripped through one of its training bases on Friday afternoon.
The fire is believed to have spread to the camp area from a nearby mine.
“It was reported that six soldiers of the South African Army lost their lives during this incident,” the army said in a statement.
A fire broke out on October 6, 2023, at the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Northern Cape. Six soldiers tragically lost their lives, and three others were injured. The fire started from a neighboring mine and has caused damage to equipment and vehicles.2023, at the… pic.twitter.com/dpoo0FeLpI
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 7, 2023
Three other military personnel were injured with second-degree burns and taken to a nearby hospital.
The soldiers at the camp were preparing for an annual army excercise.
Firefighters were still at work trying to extinguish the fire, which also destroyed military equipment and vehicles, the army said.
An investigation to determine the cause of the fire has been opened.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@SAgovnews
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