One of the three soldiers injured on Monday during an exercise in Scotland will be repatriated to Belgium on Wednesday afternoon. He will be transferred to the hospital in Leuven.
The second seriously injured soldier will have to remain in hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, for a few more days for observation. The third injured soldier was able to rejoin his battalion.
Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) gave further details on Wednesday in the House Committee on this incident, which occurred during an exercise, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
The incident occurred during a firing exercise with the RGW90 Matador anti-tank weapon. A weapon was accidentally discharged. A training arrow, not live ammunition, was fired, Francken explained.
Three soldiers were injured and a dozen others suffered hearing damage. All the injured were immediately treated by the medical detachment of the 3rd Parachute Battalion and the 14th Medical Battalion, who were present. The Scottish emergency services also responded to the incident.
An investigation has been launched. Two members of the Legal and Military Resources Service (SJRM) will leave for Scotland on Wednesday to coordinate legal matters between the Ministry of Defence, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Scottish authorities, the minister said.
No live firing was planned for the remainder of the exercise, and none will take place. The next steps are currently being considered.
