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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rich Booth

Three soldiers killed in Japan after shell explodes inside tank gun turret during training exercise

This aerial photo shows the Hijudai Training Area in Oita, southern Japan after a shell exploded inside a tank during an exercise Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - (Kyodo News)

A shell exploded inside a tank during an exercise Tuesday at a Japanese army training area in southern Japan, killing three soldiers and injuring one, officials said.

The deadly blast occurred when the three soldiers — a tank commander, a gunner and a safety officer — were inside a gun turret on a Type 10 main battle tank during a live fire exercise with two other tanks at the Hijudai Training Area in the southern prefecture of Oita.

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