Fort Bragg explosion: '15 soldiers injured' in blast at North Carolina base

Soldiers leaving Fort Bragg in North Carolina (Jonathan Drake/Reuters)

At least 15 soldiers have reportedly been injured and taken to hospital after an explosion at a training field at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

The injured have been taken to Womack Army Medical Center, according to WRAL News, with all of the injured members of the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).

“We‘re looking into an incident that occurred today on Fort Bragg,” said Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt, a spokesman for USASOC. “It did incur injuries, but the extent of the injuries are yet to be determined.”

While military officials had not yet released the cause of the injuries, ABC affiliate WTDV reported that the casualties stemmed from a vehicle rolling over.

The incident extends a grim week on US military bases. Fifteen Marines were injured yesterday at Camp Pendleton - located near San Diego, California - when their amphibious assault vehicle burst into flames during a training exercise.

Eight of those Marines were evacuated to a burn center at the University of California, San Diego, where three were in critical condition and five were in serious condition as of yesterday, according to a press release from the Marines.

The growing roster of servicemembers hurt or killed during drills has paralleled calls for better training. In advocating a bill to allocate more money, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, said on the Senate floor earlier this week that 42 servicemembers have died this summer during training exercises.

“Perhaps the greatest harm to our national security and our military is self-inflicted”, said Mr McCain, a decorated veteran.