Five dead in Spain military academy blast

An accidental explosion at a Spanish military academy killed five people and wounded three today, the Defence Ministry said.

The cause of the blast at the army facility in Hoyo de Manzanares outside Madrid is under investigation but terrorism has been ruled out, a ministry official.

The official said the facility houses a school where soldiers are taught to deactivate land mines. It was not clear if a de-mining drill triggered the explosion, although soldiers were carrying out some kind exercise at the facility, which also includes a firing range.

In June 2010, one officer died and six others were injured following an accidental explosion at bomb disposal unit in a Civil Guard training barracks outside Madrid.