Irvine, California – A training exercise at the FBI Special Agent Jerry Crowe Regional Tactical Training Facility in Irvine, California turned into chaos when an explosion injured at least 16 members of the Orange County Sheriff SWAT team. The incident occurred during a joint training exercise with the Sheriff’s Hazardous Devices Section, commonly known as the bomb squad.
Details surrounding the explosion remain unclear, as authorities have not disclosed the specifics of the incident. However, initial reports indicate that 13 individuals experienced symptoms such as dizziness and ringing in their ears as a result of the explosion. The Orange County Fire Authority confirmed that the incident took place at 12:54 p.m. local time.
Following the explosion, emergency services quickly responded, transporting fifteen injured individuals to nearby hospitals via ambulance. One of the injured individuals opted to transport themselves for medical assistance. Fortunately, most of the injuries sustained were minor, with only one person requiring surgery for a non-life-threatening leg injury. Other injuries included superficial wounds to the legs and back.
Sgt. Frank Gonzales reassured the public during a press conference by emphasizing that medical protocols were promptly activated to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the training exercise. While the incident caused distress among the SWAT team members, no FBI personnel were harmed in the explosion.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the FBI. Authorities are working diligently to determine the cause of the explosion and prevent similar incidents in the future. As the injured individuals continue to recover, the community is hopeful for a swift resolution to this unfortunate event.