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7 Marines Killed in Nevada Training Exercise 7 Marines Killed in Nevada Training Exercise
(about 2 hours later)
Seven Marines were killed and several others were injured in an explosion during a training exercise in western Nevada on Monday night, the military said Tuesday. WASHINGTON — Seven Marines were killed and several others were injured after a mortar unexpectedly exploded during a live-fire nighttime training exercise at a western Nevada weapons depot, the military said Tuesday.
The blast occurred about 10 p.m. Monday at Hawthorne Army Depot, about 140 miles southeast of Reno, said Capt. Binford Strickland, a Marine Corps spokesman. The cause of the accident, which occurred about 10 p.m. Monday at Hawthorne Army Depot, about 140 miles southeast of Reno, is under investigation, said Capt. Binford Strickland, a Marine Corps spokesman. Troops are often sent to the Hawthorne depot before being deployed to the war in Afghanistan.
The Marines were members of the Second Marine Division, an expeditionary ground combat unit based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The names of the Marines, members of the Second Marine Division, an expeditionary ground combat unit based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., have not yet been released by the military.
The depot, situated on 150,000 acres in the Nevada desert, is one of the sites used by the military to store conventional ammunition, according to the depot’s Web site. While many details of the accident remained unclear, a Marine Corps official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media said the Marines had been training with a 60-millimeter mortar during a live-fire exercise when one of the mortars detonated. It is not known whether the mortar exploded prematurely inside its firing tube, if more than a single round had exploded or if it detonated among Marines after having been fired.
“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,” Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force, said in a statement. “We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice.” The mortars, which are used to support ground troops, are usually operated by a three-person squad. But during training missions, an instructor and others often huddle around as a mortar is loaded and fired.
Nine Marines were taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. Of those nine, one later died, while three are in serious condition and five are in fair condition, said Mark Earnest, a hospital spokesman. The injuries include penetrating trauma, fractures and vascular injuries, he said. The depot, on 150,000 acres in the Nevada desert, is one of the sites used by the military to store, dispose and recycle conventional ammunition, according to the depot’s Web site. More recently, it has been used to train troops for Afghanistan because the terrain is similar to many parts of the country, where American troops have been fighting since 2001.
The military said the cause of the accident was under investigation. “We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident,” Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force, said in a statement. “We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time. We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice.”
On the Senate floor on Tuesday morning, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, announced news of the accident to his colleagues, saying: “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives. And my sympathies are with their fellow Marines, who are also grieving this loss.” After the accident, nine Marines were taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. Of those nine, one later died, while three were listed in serious condition and five were in fair condition, said Mark Earnest, a hospital spokesman. The injuries to the men, all under 30, include penetrating trauma, fractures and vascular injuries, he said.

Marc Santora contributed reporting from New York.

Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, the majority leader, announced news of the accident Tuesday morning on the Senate floor. “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives,” he said. “And my sympathies are with their fellow Marines, who are also grieving this loss.”

Eric Schmitt reported from Washington, and Timothy Williams from New York. Marc Santora contributed reporting from New York.