3 die in explosion at Spanish military base

Three people were killed and two were seriously injured as the result of an explosion on Monday in the military base of Alvarez de Sotomayor in the locality of Viator, close to the city of Almeria in southeast Spain. The base is home to a unit of the Spanish Legion and the explosion occurred at 14:20 local time (GMT 1220), although the cause has not yet been revealed. The Spanish Military have confirmed the news, but have so far been unable to confirm the identities of the fatalities; beyond saying that they were non-commissioned officers and that all were experts in explosives. The military added that the most serious of the two people injured has suffered an open fracture of their femur. Sappers are often involved in clearing mines and explosives, as well as taking part in the construction of fortifications and work on communications infrastructures. An investigation has been opened, while a team of 18 people is working to normalize the situation in the base.