7 Marines Dead in Explosion at Nev. Army Depot

Another 8 wounded during training exercise accident

By Evann Gastaldo

Posted Mar 19, 2013 7:58 AM CDT
Updated Mar 19, 2013 8:20 AM CDT

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Several Dead After Explosion at Nev. Army Depot — Soldiers from Operational Detachment Alpha 3133 conduct a mounted-dismounted route clearing exercise during a pre-mission training exercise at the Hawthorne, Nev., Army Depot on Oct. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/U.S. Army, Staff Sgt. Corey T. Dennis)

Seven US Marines are dead after an explosion at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada last night, military officials tell NBC News. The accident occurred at an ammunition storage facility during a live-fire training exercise, when a 60-millimeter mortar exploded in a tube as Marines were getting ready to fire it. Another eight Marines were wounded; three are in serious condition. The 147,000-acre depot is used for storing and destroying demilitarized ammo, Reuters reports.

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