IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – Sixteen members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team were injured in an indoor explosion during a training exercise at the FBI Special Agent Jerry Crowe Regional Tactical Training Facility in Irvine on Wednesday. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) disclosed the injuries and provided details about the incident through a statement on Facebook.
According to the statement, the injuries occurred while the SWAT team was training with the Hazardous Devices Section (HDS) at the facility. Following the explosion, 15 team members were transported to local hospitals by ambulance, while one member managed to transport himself. The most seriously injured officer is expected to undergo surgery for a leg wound, with another member sustaining a superficial back injury and a third member sustaining a superficial leg injury.
Sgt. Frank Gonzalez revealed that the explosion took place shortly before 1 p.m. local time during a training exercise with the sheriff’s bomb squad. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation. The most common injury reported among the team members was dizziness and ringing in their ears.
Out of the 16 SWAT team members hospitalized, 15 have been discharged, with one member still undergoing medical treatment after surgery. The FBI confirmed that the explosion occurred at their facility and is assisting the OCSD in the ongoing investigation. No FBI agents were injured in the incident.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on determining the circumstances leading to the explosion and ensuring the well-being of the injured team members. The collaborative effort between the OCSD and FBI aims to provide clarity and answers following this unfortunate incident.
Overall, the situation underscores the potential risks and challenges that law enforcement officers face during training exercises, highlighting the importance of comprehensive safety measures and protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.