Six South African soldiers killed in devastating training center fire

Six South African soldiers were killed after a fire broke out at an army training centre in the northeast of the country, the military said Saturday.

SIX SOLDIERS LOST LIVES

The South African Army said the fire ripped through one of its training bases on Friday afternoon.

The fire is believed to have spread to the camp area from a nearby mine.

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“It was reported that six soldiers of the South African Army lost their lives during this incident,” the army said in a statement.

Three other military personnel were injured with second-degree burns and taken to a nearby hospital.

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The soldiers at the camp were preparing for an annual army excercise.

FIREFIGHTERS

Firefighters were still at work trying to extinguish the fire, which also  destroyed military equipment and vehicles, the army said.

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An investigation to determine the cause of the fire has been opened.

© Agence France-Presse