Crime
'Like a war movie': 4 killed, 19 critical after fire at Canada military base
Firefighters continue to work on hot spots, the day after a serious incident that resulted in a fire caused deaths and injuries A fire that spread rapidly during a military training exercise at a Canadian army base has killed four service members and left at least 19 others in critical condition, with dozens requiring hospital treatment for serious injuries, including burns. A witness described the aftermath as “like a scene from a war movie” while speaking to the BBC.The blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, where troops were taking part in training exercises. Unusually strong winds caused the grass fire to spread quickly and change direction, eventually reaching the administrative area of a training range where soldiers were present.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said 39 patients had been admitted to hospitals across the province, with at least 19 in critical condition. Some patients suffered severe burns and could require weeks or months of intensive treatment. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies on Canadian military soil. 'Screaming that will never leave my mind' Brandon Simmons, a resident receiving long-term care at Wainwright Health Centre, witnessed the emergency response as injured personnel were brought to the facility. Speaking to Reuters, Simmons said the hospital declared a Code Orange, triggering an emergency response to accommodate a large influx of casualties. Nurses abandoned their routine duties to collect stretchers, gurneys and medical equipment before rushing to the entrance.Military vehicles began unloading injured people as medical staff worked to stabilise patients and calm them down. Simmons recalled seeing people with burns, including one person whose clothes had been “blown off” and who was left wearing only underwear.“I heard people screaming inside of those vehicles that will never end up being out of my mind,” he said, describing the scene as “like a scene from a war movie”.Ambulances continued arriving throughout the night, with between 12 and 20 parked along the road at a time, he added.The emergency response involved 22 ground ambulances and eight aircraft, including six aeroplanes and two helicopters. Patients were transferred to four hospitals in Alberta, including facilities in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. Medical reinforcements also arrived in Wainwright, with military personnel parachuting into the town shortly before midnight. Strong winds caused fire to change direction Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of 1st Canadian Division, said the fire began in the training area at around 4pm local time on Saturday while multiple training activities were under way.“Uncommonly strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly and shift direction towards the range administrative area,” Rutland said.He explained that soldiers were operating at a section attack range and a separate grenade range when the fire was about a kilometre away. The blaze was not expected to reach the range but subsequently spread into its administrative area. The injured personnel had been at the section attack range, rather than the grenade range.Rutland described the incident as “very uncommon”, adding that an investigation was under way to establish what happened and whether it could have been prevented.The Canadian Armed Forces said there were no indications that the fire was linked to terrorism, although its cause remains under investigation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are also involved in the probe.The four personnel killed were identified as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark. All were serving with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, with Wong also belonging to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.The troops had travelled from different bases across Canada to train at Wainwright, one of the country's major military training facilities. Carney said flags on federal buildings would be flown at half-mast in honour of those killed and injured.
Times of India·3 hours ago·3 min read
Crime
'Those who destroyed must pay': Macron's warning to France rioters; 2,400 arrested
Despite his condemnation of the violence, Macron insisted that the government must acknowledge the concerns driving the demonstrations. French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed strict action against those involved in rioting and looting across the country, declaring that anyone who sought to undermine the Republic would be held accountable. His remarks came after nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services descended into some of France's worst unrest in recent years, leaving two people dead and hundreds injured.Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Macron said the violence had left the country feeling both “anger and shame”, as authorities reported around 2,400 arrests following clashes between protesters and police. Masked groups set fire to buildings, attacked public infrastructure and looted businesses in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Limoges. More than 600 police officers were reportedly injured, while a police officer and a protester died in separate incidents linked to the unrest. The president blamed what he described as radical far-left groups and criminal elements for the destruction, while stressing that the legitimate grievances of peaceful demonstrators should not be confused with acts of violence. The protests, which drew an estimated 550,000 people according to authorities, were organised amid growing anger over fuel prices, living costs and deteriorating public services, including schools. 'Those who destroyed must pay': Macron warns rioters “Those who destroyed must pay,” Macron said in his televised address. “Those who looted must pay back. Those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.”Condemning what he called “unrestrained violence”, the president described the perpetrators as “seditious elements from far-left factions, joined by numerous delinquents”.“Watching these images, we were all wondering: what had got into them? How can French people do that to France?” he said, adding that “nothing can justify it, explain it or excuse it”.Macron also called for calm and order as disturbances continued on a smaller scale on Sunday. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades at groups gathered at Paris' Place de la République, where protesters had assembled following calls on social media to continue the movement. Clashes and attempts to set fire to bicycles and rubbish bins were also reported.The destruction was particularly severe in Limoges, where flames engulfed the 19th-century town hall on Saturday, causing its roof and clock tower to collapse. In Marseille, masked protesters forced their way into the city hall's lobby, while a fire broke out at a tourist office in Lyon. Hundreds of businesses were also reportedly looted across the country.A 22-year-old police officer died in Nantes after being struck by a vehicle, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Separately, a protester died following a cardiorespiratory arrest near Paris, with authorities investigating the circumstances. Government to engage protesters as political tensions rise Despite his condemnation of the violence, Macron insisted that the government must acknowledge the concerns driving the demonstrations.“Yesterday, hundreds of thousands of our compatriots demonstrated to state legitimate claims,” he said. “Never must we confuse the latter with those who destroyed and vandalized.”He said he had asked the government to bring together students, teachers, trade unionists and other stakeholders this week to discuss concrete proposals addressing their concerns. Macron also instructed regional prefects to coordinate with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses, including through protest bans where necessary.The unrest has also intensified political divisions ahead of France's next presidential election. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticised Macron's government as exhausted and incapable of responding effectively, while left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of escalating tensions through his handling of the situation.Mélenchon, who joined Saturday's march in Paris, nevertheless rejected looting and destruction, saying those who shared the movement's objectives had no place engaging in such acts.
Times of India·3 hours ago·3 min read
Crime
Omar Abdullah seeks action over attack on J&K-bound bus in Haryana
Omar Abdullah SRINAGAR: The J&K govt and political parties in the union territory have unitedly condemned the attack on a Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana.According to a govt spokesperson, CM Omar Abdullah’s office has conveyed its concern to the Haryana govt, which has assured prompt and stringent action.“This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana govt led by Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana Police catch the culprits & take action to ensure these things don’t happen again,” Omar wrote on X. The bus, travelling from Delhi to Srinagar with around 40 passengers on board, was reportedly attacked by unidentified persons near Kurukshetra in Haryana, who allegedly pelted it with stones and bricks. An elderly Kashmiri passenger sustained injuries in the incident.PDP legislator Waheed ur Rehman Para described it as hate crime. “Hate is making ordinary Kashmiris unsafe. We demand arrests and accountability,” he said.Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called the incident as “disturbing.” “Reports of threats against J&K-registered vehicles are causing concern among people. Those in authority must ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers and take swift and strict legal action against those responsible,” he said. Join conversation View All Comments → Share your thoughts in the comments Insightful Agree Disagree Skeptical Concerning Promising Worth Reading Big Development Post Comment Be respectful · TOI community guidelines J&K BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said targeting people because of their Kashmiri identity is unacceptable. “Such incidents are not acceptable in Modi’s India. Kashmiris deserve the same dignity, respect and hospitality in every part of the country as any other citizen. No one should be harassed, assaulted or humiliated because they come from Kashmir,” Thakur said.
Times of India·4 hours ago·1 min read
