The incident occurred on Thursday (17 September) at the training ground in Świętoszów. During exercises, a Leopard tank caught fire – Gazeta Wrocławska learned unofficially and reported on its website Gazeta Wrocławska.
Four soldiers were injured as a result of the fire. They received medical assistance. The press spokesperson for the Świętoszów brigade assured that the circumstances of the incident would be investigated by a special military commission.
Below is a statement by Capt. Adriana Wołyńska, press officer of the 10BKPanc:
On 17 September this year, at approximately 1:20 p.m., a fire broke out in a Leopard 2A4 tank at the Świętoszów training ground during scheduled training for the 1st Tank Battalion, conducted as part of the PANTERA-15 tactical exercise with troops. The tank crew, consisting of four soldiers from the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów, sustained injuries in the incident. They received immediate medical assistance from paramedics providing medical cover for the training.
They were subsequently transported to specialist hospitals, where they are receiving professional medical care. A notification team appointed by the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade informed the soldiers’ families, who were provided with psychological support by military representatives.
A commission from the General Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces and the 11LDKPanc was appointed to investigate the circumstances, details and causes of the incident. An investigative group from the Military Police branch in Żagań was sent to Świętoszów.