3 Members of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) Killed in Explosion
JAPAN – Three members of the Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) were on Tuesday killed and another one injured in an explosion during training exercises, according to local reports.
The team was riding in a tank when a shell it was carrying exploded.
The incident occurred at the GSDF’s Hijudai training range in Kusu, Oita Prefecture, Kyodo News Agency reported.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed regret for the incident, adding that the “Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Forces will work to identify the cause and ensure proper safety management.”
According to the local government, the personnel were left unresponsive after what is believed to have been an unintentional detonation of tank ammunition during an exercise.
