14 DAY TRIAL // Seven marines have been killed and eight others have incurred injuries during an explosion at the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada.
On Monday evening, March 18, officers were performing a training routine at the facility located 140 miles (225 km) from Reno when a mortar explosive projectile blew up before it could be fired.
“A fatal incident occurred during a training exercise shortly before 10 p.m. Monday,” a spokesperson for the Marine Corps has said in a statement conveyed by WWGP 1050.
“The injured have been transported to area hospitals for treatment and further evaluation,” the Marines official notes.
Russia Today adds that the Marines were getting ready to use the fire weapon, either picking it up or standing close to it, when it detonated.
Three officers at the scene have been hospitalized with life-threatening wounds, while five others have suffered minor injuries, trauma and fractures.
On their website, the Joint Munitions Command describes Hawthorne as a storage site for weaponry and desert-type training exercises.
“Hawthorne Army Depot (HWAD) is an archive site for storing slow-moving ammunition and stocks awaiting demilitarization.
“HWAD provides high desert training facilities for military units. As the designated site for long-term storage of reused Industrial Plant Equipment, Hawthorne receives, stores and accounts for all IPE,” the classification reads.
While reports are saying that officers of the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina battalion have been involved in the blast, the identities of the victims will only be released once their families are alerted.
“We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time.
“We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice,” Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox tells reporters.