A Dutch soldier has died in Germany during large-scale army exercises, according to NOS, citing the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry stated that the 21-year-old soldier likely died as a result of an accident. No further details about the incident have been released.
The commander of the soldier’s unit, Brigadier General Gert-Jan Kooij, expressed his devastation over the death: “This deeply affects all of us. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
The 21-year-old was serving in the 13th Light Brigade from the town of Oirschot in Brabant. He was participating in the “Bastion Lion” exercises at the Güz Altmark training ground, located about 150 kilometers west of Berlin. These are the largest military exercises for the army this year, involving around 4,000 soldiers from three countries. Following the soldier’s death, the exercises were suspended.
German police are conducting an investigation, supported by the Royal Netherlands Military Police. Meanwhile, the Dutch Defence Safety Inspectorate has also launched a separate inquiry.
