Latest news with #BelgianDefenceMinistry
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Belgian paratroopers shot during Scottish training exercise
Three Belgian soldiers have been injured in a 'shooting incident' during a training exercise in Scotland, Belgium's defence ministry has said. The casualties were rushed to hospital after being 'seriously injured' in Monday's gunfire. Two were said to be stable. Of those, one was expected to undergo surgery before being able to return home. The third soldier was discharged after only suffering minor injuries. Around another 12 soldiers suffered hearing damage as a result of the incident. It is believed there was a misfire during a live ammunition exercise. The incident was reported to have happened during a joint drill at a training centre near Loch Lomond, although the Belgian defence ministry declined to reveal where in Scotland the incident took place. Last week, it was reported that around 600 Belgian armed forces personnel were in Moray for a large-scale operation, Red Condor. A spokesman for the Belgian defence ministry said: 'On May 12, during Exercise Red Condor currently taking place in Scotland, three Belgian soldiers were injured. 'They received first aid on site and were then transferred to a regional hospital. In addition, around a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage. 'Defence authorities have confirmed that the two soldiers who were seriously injured are now in stable condition. 'They have already been able to speak with their families. One of them will undergo surgery in Scotland before being repatriated to Belgium.' The families of those injured had been informed, the ministry added. An MoD spokesman said: 'We are aware of an incident during an exercise in Scotland involving foreign national military personnel. Our thoughts are with all those affected.' Bart De Wever, the Belgian prime minister, offered his condolences to the injured soldiers and their families on X. 'I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland,' he wrote. 'I wish the injured a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Belgian soldiers hurt in 'shooting incident' during exercise in Scotland
Three Belgian soldiers have been hurt in a "shooting incident" during a military training exercise in Scotland. In a statement, the Belgian Defence Ministry said 12 other soldiers also suffered hearing damage during the incident. RTBF, Belgium's French-language public broadcaster, reports that the three injured soldiers received first aid and were then transferred to a local hospital. Two of the soldiers are now in stable condition, RTBF said, with one expected to undergo surgery and then be repatriated to Belgium. The families of the injured soldiers have been informed. READ MORE: Elon Musk's Starlink technology launches on ScotRail trains in Highlands trial Council 'cannot say' when system will be fully restored after cyberattack Scotland sees warmest day of 2025 with temp higher than Los Angeles Belgian newspaper La Libre reported that the incident involved a shooting exercise with an anti-tank weapon that went wrong. In a video posted on X, Belgian Defence minister Theo Francken said: "They were on an exercise and something went wrong. "We do everything to educate our personnel well, train them well and provide them with maximum protection, but sometimes things go wrong. " We are monitoring the situation very closely." Responding to the news, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever posted on X: "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." The soldiers, who belong to the 3rd Parachute Battalion (Belgium), were taking part in Exercise Red Condor, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. Approximately 600 personnel are reportedly involved in the military training exercise, which is taking place in Moray.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Three Belgian soldiers rushed to hospital after 'shooting incident' in Scotland left 15 injured
Three Belgian soldiers were rushed to hospital on Monday after 15 were wounded in a 'shooting incident' during a military exercise in Scotland, Belgium's defence ministry said. 'They received first aid and were then transferred to a local hospital. In addition, a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage,' a statement said, without giving more detail on their condition. It added: 'An investigation has been launched to find out the exact circumstances of the incident.' The ministry said that the families of the injured soldiers had been informed of the incident. The soldiers were from Belgium's 3rd parachute battalion and were taking part in the Red Condor exercise supported by Britain's defence ministry. In a social media post, Belgium's Defence Minister, Theo Francken: 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.'
