Death toll from fire at Canadian army base in Alberta rises to five
The Canadian army says another soldier injured in the fire at its base in Wainwright, Alberta, has died in hospital. Five soldiers have now lost their lives in the tragedy.
The Canadian army has announced that a soldier injured in a fire at a Canadian Armed Forces base in Wainwright, in the province of Alberta, died in a hospital in Ontario on Friday. The number of fatalities from the tragedy has therefore risen to five. Four deaths had been reported previously.
The deceased is Private William Douglas Dalbjanko. He had been receiving treatment in hospital since 17 October, when the fire broke out at the base.
How the incident unfolded
A total of 84 soldiers were taking part in assault training at the base. Wind blew the flames of a wildfire toward the troops. According to the army, 24 soldiers remain in hospital.
Investigation
Military police are investigating the fire. A separate military board of inquiry is examining the circumstances of the tragedy and will recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the fire as one of the most serious tragedies the army has experienced on national territory in peacetime.
