ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced an urgent investigation after a military projectile exploded at the Third Military College in Qalachwalan, Sulaimani, on Tuesday, killing one cadet and injuring at least three more.

Lieutenant Ahmed, spokesperson for the Patrioitic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)-affiliated Unit 70 of the Peshmerga, told The New Region that a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) exploded in the hand of one of the cadets during a training exercise.

According to a defense ministry statement seen by The New Region, “During the execution of a scheduled firing exercise as part of the training curriculum for the 89th student cohort, a military projectile exploded, resulting in injuries to four students of the college.”

The statement added that the injured students were immediately transferred to the hospital to receive medical treatment, noting that three of them have recovered after receiving medical care, while the fourth succumbed to the injuries and died. 

The remains of the deceased cadet are to be airlifted to Baghdad, the ministry noted.

“The Ministry of Defense has launched an urgent investigation to determine its causes and circumstances, take the necessary measures to prevent recurrence in the future, and hold those responsible accountable,” the statement concluded.

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