Three Belgian soldiers hospitalised and 12 others injured after shooting incident at Scots military base
THREE Belgian soldiers have been rushed to hospital and 12 others were injured after a ‘shooting incident’ during a military exercise in Scotland.
Soldiers from the country’s parachute regiments were taking part in the Red Condor exercise when the incident happened earlier today.
The exercise, which was supported by Britain’s defence ministry, was being carried out at Kinloss Barracks on the Moray Coast in the northeast of Scotland.
A total of 15 soldiers have been injured, and three were rushed to hospital in an ambulance after being wounded.
According to Belgian publication Sudinfo, two soldiers have suffered serious injuries while the third suffered minor injuries.
The other 12 soldiers all reportedly suffered hearing damage.
Belgium’s Ministry of Defence announced the news on social media.
The country’s Defence Minister, Theo Francken, posted a short clip of himself on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming the incident.
They were on an exercise and something went wrong. We do everything to train, train and protect our personnel as best we can, but sometimes things don’t go as planned
Theo Francken
He said: “They were on an exercise and something went wrong.
“We do everything to train, train and protect our personnel as best we can, but sometimes things don’t go as planned.”
He added that the government was “monitoring the situation very closely” and that the families of those who were injured have been informed.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever also made a post on X as he responded to the incident.
He wrote: “I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland.
“I wish the injured a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones.”
It’s understood that an air ambulance was scrambled to the scene earlier today before flying to a hospital in Aberdeen.
Belgian military ambulances have also been spotted moving around the base this evening.
Helicopters from the Belgian Armed Forces arrived at Kinloss Barracks on Friday, May 2 , and are expected to stay until Tuesday, May 20.
Over the span of 18 days, they would be involved in night flying, and locals were warned that they faced “slight disruption”.
Three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland. I wish the injured a speedy recovery
Bart de Wever
Large convoys of Belgian Armed Forces vehicles were seen entering the barracks last week.
The country’s Defence Ministry has launched an investigation into the incident.
They released a statement which said: “They received first aid and were then transferred to a local hospital. In addition, a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage.
“An investigation has been launched to find out the exact circumstances of the incident.”
It’s understood that Police Scotland is investigating the incident.
Exercise Red Condor is part of the operational preparation of the Belgian 3rd Parachute Battalion.
According to the Press and Journal, around 600 people from Belgium’s Ministry of Defence are taking part in the large-scale operation.
The MOD and the Scottish Ambulance Service have been approached for comment by the Scottish Sun.