Canada says people killed after incident and fire at Alberta military base

Defence Minister David McGuinty announced on Saturday that an incident at a military base in Alberta, Canada, resulted in fatalities and injuries alongside a major fire. McGuinty did not disclose the number of casualties or the cause of the incident. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are leading the investigation, and he described the situation as "very, very active and delicate".

The Canadian Armed Forces, along with federal, provincial, and local authorities, are coordinating the emergency response. The nearby community of Wainwright is providing hospital and firefighting support. The fire, which crossed the base's fence earlier on Saturday and spread rapidly due to high winds, has affected many military personnel.

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his thoughts with those affected, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as "significant and tragic". Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, located approximately 180km southeast of Edmonton, is a major military training base. Authorities are still determining the incident's cause and expect to provide further information.

Prime Minister Carney and Premier Smith are in close communication with their respective ministers and officials. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre offered support to those affected, urging residents to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders. The fire occurred days before Alberta is set to vote on a process that could potentially lead to its seeking independence from Canada.