16 deputies injured in explosion during SWAT training at California FBI facility
At least 16 members of a California sheriff’s office were injured in an explosion Wednesday at an FBI training facility.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s SWAT team was training inside the FBI Special Agent Jerry Crowe Regional Tactical Training Facility in the City of Irvine shortly before 1 p.m. when the blast occurred, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
One officer suffered a non-life-threatening leg injury that would require surgery, while two others suffered superficial injuries to their backs, officials said.
The 13 others reported dizziness and ringing in their ears.
Fifteen of the officers were transported to the hospital, and one drove themselves.
The group had been conducting its annual joint training exercise with the Sheriff’s Hazardous Devices Section when the incident occurred inside a small building of the facility.
Details surrounding the explosion and its cause were not revealed, but are being investigated by the sheriff’s office and the FBI.
Footage from the scene showed investigators scouring the scene wearing protective suits as they examined a large, red robot situated outside of that building. Debris could be seen strewn near the entrance.
“A training incident that occurred today at the FBI’s training facility in Irvine with law enforcement partners resulted in some injuries and is under investigation,” said a statement from the FBI.
