Six South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were killed, and three others injured, when a fire ravaged the training centre in Lohatlha, Northern Cape. The fire started on Friday afternoon and was fanned by a wind speed of 70 kilometres per hour and attempts by the soldiers to contain it failed.
It is reported that the fire rolled over from the western border of the mine that is next to the training area in the Combat Training Centre. Elements of the SA Army are currently deployed in the vicinity in preparation for the annual SA Army exercise, Exercise Vukuhlome, and were deployed in the vicinity when the fire occurred.
“Six soldiers lost their lives during the incident, and three who were injured with second degree burns have been evacuated to the nearest hospital,” said Major-General Rene Mercuur in a statement.
The fire destroyed the camp and nearby farms.
“At the moment, the focus is to contain the fire and to account for all the members who were in the area where the fire occurred. The fire brigade is doing everything in their power to extinguish the fire which has resulted in destroying camping equipment and vehicles,” added Mercuur.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, and the defence top brass, have extended their condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives. The names of the deceased soldiers will only be released once their next of kin have been informed.
The incident came on the heels of several deadly accidents, which claimed seven lives. Last month three submariners were swept out of sea near Kommetjie, near Cape Town, during a training exercise on board SAS Manthatisi.
In a separate incident, four soldiers perished in a vehicle accident near Upington, Northern Cape.
