Prime Minister Mark Carney says four Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members were killed and dozens seriously injured after a major fire incident at CFB Wainwright in Alberta.
He described it as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the CAF on Canadian soil.
“The nation is in mourning for those brave members of our Armed Forces whom we have lost,” Carney said on Oct. 18. He added that Canadian flags will fly at half mast on federal buildings across the country to mark the tragedy.
“Our hearts go with, and we are praying for, the wounded. And we stand in solidarity and compassion for the families, the friends, and the colleagues of all those affected by this tragedy. Canadians come together in crisis,” Carney said.
The fire was ignited around 4 p.m. on Oct. 17 within the training area of the military base, according to CAF. CFB Wainwright is a major military base used for training, located 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
“The fire spread rapidly beyond the boundaries of the training area, while military and civilian emergency services responded quickly to control that fire and to support those affected by this tragic event,” the CAF said in a statement on Oct. 18.
The CAF say there’s no indication that terrorist activity was involved in the deadly fire.
“While the incident remains under investigation, at this time, there are no indications that it was the result of any terrorist activity,” CAF said in an email to The Epoch Times.
Those injured in the incident have been transported to hospitals across the province, with Acute Care Alberta activating a Code Orange at several facilities to coordinate care for multiple severely injured patients.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is in close contact with federal officials to respond to the tragedy.
“Alberta is mourning alongside the Canadian Armed Forces and the families, friends and colleagues of those affected by the tragic incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright yesterday,” she said on Oct. 18.
“We are deeply grateful to the first responders, paramedics, physicians, nurses and hospital teams across Alberta who have mobilized to provide care to those injured.”
Smith said she will be travelling to Edmonton on Oct. 18 to meet with provincial ministers and federal officials. She also said that flags flags at provincial government buildings across Alberta will be lowered to half mast “as a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives and in solidarity with the military community and their families.”
“Let us all pray for Wainwright,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said on Oct. 17. “I have contacted the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence to express our support for all the people on the base and in the community.”
In a statement on Oct. 18, Poilievre said he wished to send a “heartfelt message” of thanks to the Armed Forces.
“Thank you for your service, your discipline, and your loyalty to this great country. In an uncertain world, you are the steady hand on the shield of our national defence,” he wrote.
“CFB Wainwright has always stood at the heart of Canada’s fighting spirit.”
The town of Wainwright, which has been responding to the incident by providing medical care and firefighting crews, said this is a “frightening and difficult time for many families, neighbours, and first responders.”
“On behalf of Wainwright & District Family and Community Support Services, our hearts are with everyone affected by the large-scale fire and resulting injuries and casualties in our community,” the town said on social media.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said he and his wife are praying for the families of the CAF members who lost their lives and for the full recovery of the injured.
“My heart is heavy for the Canadian Armed Forces community,” he said on Oct. 18.
The chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, also sent in his condolences on behalf of the military alliance.
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