A fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta has resulted in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries.
What happened
The blaze ignited on Saturday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, spreading beyond the training area and prompting a response from emergency services.
Firefighters battled the flames in challenging conditions, with gusts of up to 62 miles per hour. The cause of the fire has not been released.
The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed fatalities and injuries but will not disclose the number of victims until next of kin is notified. Local hospitals were overwhelmed with patients, with emergency medical resources stretched thin.
A nearby town's hospital, not equipped to handle a mass-casualty incident, coordinated with other medical facilities to transport patients as needed. Helicopters and planes were used to transport patients to other hospitals.
Emergency crews and military personnel responded to the incident, with a Code Orange activated for hospitals in the area. The situation is being described as a 'one in every 15- to 25-year disaster' by a local emergency department physician.
