Belgian paratroopers shot during Scottish training exercise
Three Belgian soldiers have been injured in a 'shooting incident' during a training exercise in Scotland, Belgium's defence ministry has said.
The casualties were rushed to hospital after being 'seriously injured' in Monday's gunfire.
Two are now stable, although one is expected to undergo surgery before being able to return home.
The other soldier has already been discharged after only suffering minor injuries.
Around another 12 soldiers suffered hearing damage as a result of the incident which is reported to have taken place during a joint military drill at a training centre near Loch Lomond.
It is believed to have involved a misfire during a live ammunition exercise.
The defence ministry declined to reveal where in Scotland the incident took place.
Last week it was reported that around 600 Belgian armed forces personnel were in Moray for a large-scale operation called Red Condor.
A spokesman for the defence ministry said: 'On May 12, during Exercise Red Condor currently taking place in Scotland, three Belgian soldiers were injured.
'They received first aid on site and were then transferred to a regional hospital. In addition, around a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage.
'Defence authorities have confirmed that the two soldiers who were seriously injured are now in stable condition.
'They have already been able to speak with their families. One of them will undergo surgery in Scotland before being repatriated to Belgium.'
The families of those injured have been informed, they added.
In a post on X, Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever offered his condolences to the injured soldiers and their families.
'I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland,' he wrote.
'I wish the injured a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones.'
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ministers ‘abusing' anti-terror laws against Palestine activists
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has said the Government is 'abusing' anti-terror laws against pro-Palestine activists as tens of thousands of protesters marched in London. A protest organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner marched to Whitehall from Russell Square in central London on Saturday afternoon. Organisers estimated that 350,000 people attended the protest, with those marching waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'free, free Palestine' and 'stop bombing Iran'. Many protesters chanted 'shame on you' as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge. The Metropolitan Police said a person was arrested after a bottle was thrown towards the counter-protesters. They added that 'a group appeared on Waterloo Bridge trying to block traffic' following the protest, with officers intervening to clear the road. The demonstrations come after reports on Friday that the Home Secretary will ban Palestine Action after the group vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, after footage posted online showed two people inside the RAF base, with one appearing to spray paint into an aircraft's jet engine. Addressing crowds at the national march for Palestine in Whitehall, former SNP leader Mr Yousaf said: 'While we stand a stone's throw from Downing Street, let's make it clear to the Prime Minister: You try to intimidate us with your anti-terror laws by abusing them, but you'll never silence us as we speak out against the genocide that you're supporting. 'We're not the terrorists – the ones that are literally killing children, they are the terrorists.' A pro-Palestine protester said it was 'absolutely horrendous' that the Government is preparing to ban Palestine Action. Artist Hannah Woodhouse, 61, told the PA news agency: 'The Government, since yesterday, have said they're also going to start to try to proscribe peace activists who are trying to take action against the genocide – so Palestine Action are now being targeted by our Government, which is absolutely horrendous.' Ms Woodhouse, who is from London, added: 'Counter-terrorism measures, it seems, are being used against non-violent peace protesters. 'The peace activists are trying to do the Government's job, which is to disarm Israel. The duty of any government right now is to disarm a genocidal state.' Musician Paloma Faith told pro-Palestine campaigners that she would not 'stick to music and stay away from politics'. Speaking to crowds at the march, the songwriter, 43, added: 'Those who facilitate these crimes against humanity need to be made accountable, not those of us who are compassionate and humane enough to stand against it.' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told protesters that politicians were seeking to 'turn people who protest against the invasion of Iran or the occupation of Palestine into terrorists'. Some protesters were carrying Iran flags, with others hoisting signs – distributed by the Islamic Human Rights Commission – that read 'choose the right side of history' alongside a photo of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Human rights group Liberty said banning Palestine Action 'would be a huge step change in how counter-terror laws are applied'. Sam Grant, its external affairs director, said in a statement: 'Targeting a protest group with terrorism powers in this way is a shocking escalation of the Government's crackdown on protest and we urge the Home Secretary to rethink. 'It's clear the actions of Palestine Action don't meet the Government's own proportionality test to be proscribed as a terrorist group, but the consequences for the group's supporters if ministers go ahead would be heavy – with things like wearing their logo carrying prison sentences. 'This move needs to be viewed in light of the sustained crackdowns on protest we have seen from successive governments over recent years, and the worrying fact that there are more and more non-violent protesters spending years in prison.' The Palestine Coalition is comprised of a number of different groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop The War.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Midlothian creeps caught on film lurking around neighbourhood after dark
A pair of 'creeps' were caught on camera lurking around a Midlothian neighbourhood in the dead of night. The footage was taken in Loanhead in the early hours of Friday, June 20 around 2.40am and captured a gutting discovery. The incident allegedly took place on Burghlee Crescent when the pair were filmed prowling around the street. READ MORE: Tragedy as body of man is discovered in shed beside busy Edinburgh road READ MORE: Edinburgh woman and baby rushed to hospital as man arrested by 'armed police' Footage seen by Edinburgh Live appears to show two hooded individuals trying car doors in the quiet neighbourhood. One enters the frame of the video and seems to approach a vehicle before seemingly trying the handle, which is locked. The individual then proceeds up the road to another car, before repeating the process on several cars on the street. Another prowler then appears in the frame, following closely behind their accomplice. Both individuals appear to be wearing hoods. It appeared that the cars were all locked despite their efforts. Locals took to social media, decrying the alleged behaviour. It is understood the incident was not reported to Police Scotland. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Search launched for West Lothian woman last seen outside Tesco store
A search has been launched for a missing West Lothian woman after she was last spotted outside a supermarket. Officers are appealing to the public to trace 30-year-old Leigh Groves who was last seen leaving Tesco on Blackburn Road, Bathgate, at around 8.40pm on Friday June 20. She headed towards the direction of the Pyramids Business Park. READ MORE: Edinburgh locals 'forced' to stay inside as 'riot police' lock down building READ MORE: Edinburgh residents evacuated as 'riot police' close roads amid ongoing incident Leigh is described as white, around 5ft 3ins tall, of slim build with long dark hair. She may be wearing a burgundy or light-coloured tartan leather dress. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Inspector Scott Currie said: 'There has been no contact with Leigh since she was last seen, and concerns are growing for her welfare. 'We are asking anyone who has seen Leigh or knows where she might be to get in touch with us immediately.' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 3980 of 20 June.