Blast at Nevada munitions depot kills 7 Marines, injures 8

USPA News - Seven U.S. Marines were killed late Monday when a mortar shell exploded during a mountain warfare training exercise at a munitions depot in western Nevada, military officials said on Tuesday. Eight others were injured, some seriously.

The deadly incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. local time on Monday at the Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada, located in Mineral County in Nevada?s high desert. It happened as a number of U.S. Marines were conducting a live-fire training exercise at the sprawling facility which is one of the world`s largest of its kind. Captain Nick Mannweiler, a spokesman for the U.S. Marine Corps, said seven Marines were killed and eight others were injured when a mortar shell exploded. The victims were all part of the 2nd Marine Division, a ground combat force based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. "We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident," said Major General Raymond Fox, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, which includes the 2nd Division. "We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice." Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where most of the victims were airlifted to, said that three of the injured Marines remained in a serious condition on early Tuesday evening. Three others were described as being in a `fair` condition while seventh Marine had already been discharged after receiving treatment. Mannweiler also rejected reports Tuesday that an eighth Marine had died of his injuries, saying a representative from Veterans of Foreign Wars USA (VFW) had misunderstood Marine terminology with respect to the word casualty. "We use `casualty` in place of wounded," he said. It was not immediately clear what led to the deadly explosion, but military officials said it ordered a blanket suspension of the use of 60 mm mortars while an investigation is underway. "A blanket suspension of 60mm mortars and associated tubes is now in effect until review is complete," said Marine Corps spokeswoman Captain Kendra Motz. "This suspension affects both training and theater use of 60mm mortars." Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said he was "deeply saddened" after receiving the news. "The men and women who work and train there put service ahead of self each and every day," he said. "(Nevada First Lady) Kathleen and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to those killed and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured and we pray for their speedy recovery."