Dozen Russian marines killed after lighting fire next to pile of ammo

A dozen marines were reportedly accidentally killed in southern Russia after lighting a fire next to a pile of ammunition.

The incident occurred on November 3 when the troops lit a fire during their lunch break at the Kuzmin military training ground in the Rostov region, local news outlet 161.ru reported, citing sources in law enforcement, the Russian military and an investigative agency.

The Rostov region shares a border with Ukraine.

The marines were reportedly killed when ammunition accidentally rolled into the fire and exploded.

“About 20 people from [the marine brigade] lit a fire next to stocks of ammunition during their lunch break. An RPG-7 grenade launcher shell rolled into the fire and exploded,” the publication quoted a source as saying.

Eight marines reportedly died instantly. Four, who initially survived the blast, died later in hospital. A further eight were wounded in the explosion. The marines were reportedly all from the port city of Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East.

Newsweek couldn’t independently verify the report, and has contacted Russia’s Defense Ministry via email for comment. The Kremlin hasn’t commented on the reported explosion.

The deaths of the servicemen are being probed by Russia’s Investigative Committee, 161.ru said.

In February, local media reported that six Russian soldiers in the Kursk region, which also borders Ukraine, were killed in an explosion that was accidentally triggered while the men were using a cooking stove.

The soldiers, who were in a trench at the time, poured gasoline onto an open stove causing an explosion and fire, according to Russian Telegram channel Baza, which regularly posts information about security issues within the country.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense told state-run news agency RIANovosti at the time that the blast was caused by “a gross violation of safety requirements by the military of the Western Military District in the Kursk region.” The news agency also reported that six soldiers were killed.

In January, Russian troops stationed in the Belgorod region were also killed in an accidental blast.

“The preliminary cause of the explosion is careless handling of ammunition,” an emergency services representative told state-run news agency Tass at the time.

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