[h=3]By BEN KESLING[/h]At least seven Marines died when a mortar round accidentally exploded during training in Nevada, according to a Marines spokesman.
The Marine Corps said several other Marines were injured in the incident, which happened Monday evening at the Hawthorne Army Depot, about 100 miles southeast of Reno. Eight injured Marines were taken by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, including one who died after arrival, the hospital said. It wasn't clear if that person was included in the Marines' total of seven dead.
Lt. Col. Neil Murphy, a Marines spokesman, said authorities are treating the explosion as an accident and are investigating the cause. Authorities gave no information as to whether the explosion might have occurred because of equipment failure or human error.
The Marines involved in the accident are part of the Second Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Officials said they wouldn't release the names of the dead or injured, or their specific unit, until 24 hours after their families have been notified.
Seven Marines were killed and several others injured in an apparent training accident Monday night at the Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada.
"We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time," said Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force, which includes the Second Marine Division. "We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice."
The incident involved a 60mm mortar—a roughly 3-foot-long tube that fires a round 2.4 inches in diameter. Mortars are typically operated by crews of three, and there are typically three mortars firing as a section. On a training range, other Marines often observe and supervise the crews, which could lead to casualties beyond those directly involved in firing the weapon in the event of an accidental explosion.
Hawthorne is an army facility, but Marines taking part in training at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif. often travel there to fire weapons such as mortars and machine guns.
Troops injured in training accidents often are taken to civilian hospitals equipped with mass-casualty trauma facilities that bases like Hawthorne typically lack.
The Marine Corps said several other Marines were injured in the incident, which happened Monday evening at the Hawthorne Army Depot, about 100 miles southeast of Reno. Eight injured Marines were taken by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, including one who died after arrival, the hospital said. It wasn't clear if that person was included in the Marines' total of seven dead.
Lt. Col. Neil Murphy, a Marines spokesman, said authorities are treating the explosion as an accident and are investigating the cause. Authorities gave no information as to whether the explosion might have occurred because of equipment failure or human error.
The Marines involved in the accident are part of the Second Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Officials said they wouldn't release the names of the dead or injured, or their specific unit, until 24 hours after their families have been notified.
Seven Marines were killed and several others injured in an apparent training accident Monday night at the Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada.
"We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time," said Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force, which includes the Second Marine Division. "We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice."
The incident involved a 60mm mortar—a roughly 3-foot-long tube that fires a round 2.4 inches in diameter. Mortars are typically operated by crews of three, and there are typically three mortars firing as a section. On a training range, other Marines often observe and supervise the crews, which could lead to casualties beyond those directly involved in firing the weapon in the event of an accidental explosion.
Hawthorne is an army facility, but Marines taking part in training at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif. often travel there to fire weapons such as mortars and machine guns.
Troops injured in training accidents often are taken to civilian hospitals equipped with mass-casualty trauma facilities that bases like Hawthorne typically lack.