The King of Canada has issued a personal message following an accident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, located in Alberta, over the weekend.
Amidst a live fire training exercise at CFB Wainwright on Saturday afternoon, a fire ignited and jumped a kilometre in under a minute, due to high winds, reaching and overtaking the area where the soldiers were gathered. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
At the time, members of the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry were engaged in training as part of Exercise APOLLO SHOOTER.
King Charles shared that he and Queen Camilla “were greatly shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic incident” and that they sent their “deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and with all those who have been injured or otherwise affected at this most difficult time.”
The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed that four members of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry were killed in the training accident.
“These dedicated soldiers served Canada with honour and were training to carry out the Canadian Army’s mission,” Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army, said in a statement issued by the Government of Canada. “We mourn their loss and will never forget their service.”
While four members of the Canadian Armed Forces were confirmed killed in the incident, 39 were injured and transported to civilian hospitals in nearby cities. Of these, at the last reporting, 19 members were critically injured.
Photograph by Millie Pilkington 2024
The King’s message continued: “We extend our particular admiration and gratitude to the military and civilian emergency services, healthcare workers and all those who have responded with such courage and dedication in the most challenging circumstances.”
King Charles’s message ended with “special thoughts and prayers” to the people in Alberta and to the Canadian Armed Forces and their families.
CFB Wainwright is one of the largest bases in Canada, with 1,310 soldiers stationed there at the last official count.
King Charles’s message can be read in full here, on the Governor General’s official website.
