Five killed due to grenade explosion in Morona Santiago

Defense Minister responsible, Carlos Larrea said the grenade explosion of last Sunday in the Taisha canton, Morona Santiago province, killed five people: four soldiers and a civilian. In addition there were 15 injured, two of whom were already discharged, and another one whi is a minor and has a chest injury.

General Jorge Pena, Army Commander, explained that the victims flew by helicopter, to the Hospital.

People carrying the wounded to the helicopter.

The deceased are: Corporals Angelo Pindo Nagua and Marco Caiza Cando, who died of serious injuries in the military hospital of Quito, Sergeant Bartolome Chamikiar Akachu, Corporal Carlos Nacata and civil Willman Naegay Nanantay.

It is presumed that the accident was caused by human error. According to Pena, the accident happened when expositors were showing the operation of a grenade, and that kind of exhibitions are always carried out with non-explosive material.

The Board of Investigation and the Accident Review Board have already began an investigation. Punishments, Pena said, could be “from arrests to more severe sanctions.”