Fatal blast shakes Czech army base used to train Ukrainians

(MENAFN) A tragic explosion at the Libava military training area in the Czech Republic has resulted in the death of one soldier and left eight others injured, the country’s Defense Ministry confirmed on Monday. The base, crucial for training Ukrainian troops, was rocked by the blast, which involved unspecified munitions, according to preliminary reports from military officials.

The Defense Ministry took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the incident, describing it as a serious accident caused by the explosion of munitions at the training facility. Immediate response efforts included deploying a rescue helicopter to provide swift assistance at the scene.

Lucie Mikiskova, a spokeswoman for the ambulance service in the Olomouc region, emphasized the ongoing emergency response efforts, refraining from divulging specific details due to the military nature of the location. She confirmed the deployment of multiple response teams, including air ambulance services from neighboring regions, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Reports from local media indicated that four soldiers with moderate injuries were airlifted or transported by ambulance to the University Hospital in Olomouc, approximately 200 kilometers east of Prague. Additional injured personnel were also attended to, with one soldier receiving treatment directly at the site of the explosion, according to hospital officials.

Katerina Mlynkova, spokeswoman for the military police, reassured the public that all injured personnel involved in the incident were Czech nationals, dispelling earlier concerns regarding foreign casualties. The investigation into the explosion is ongoing as authorities work to determine the precise cause and circumstances surrounding this tragic event at the military training facility.

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