Blast Kills 7 US Marines in Training Accident

Seven Marines were killed as the result of an explosion during a Marine Corps training exercise at Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada.

Several others were injured in the blast which took place at 22:00 local time.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, the Marine Corps said Tuesday, according to CNN.

A representative of Nevada's Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority said four medical helicopters were sent to transport patients to regional hospitals.

The Hawthorne Army Depot, about 140 miles southeast of Reno, is used for storing ammunition and weapon stocks awaiting demilitarization. The facility also provides high desert training facilities for military units.