The number of injuries increased to 22 after the explosion at the BC . military base

Victoria –

An explosion at Canadian Forces Base on Vancouver Island, BC injured a total of 22 people, according to the Department of Defense.

16 military members and six civilians were injured on Thursday after an explosion hit a barracks building under renovation.

Although the building was under renovation, the DND said it was being used as a residence at the time of the explosion.

The ministry said one person was still in hospital receiving treatment for injuries caused by the blast. Another 21 injured were treated and released.

“The construction site remains an active emergency scene,” DND said in an update Friday.

An urban search and rescue team from Esquimalt, BC is on the scene with acoustic and infrared sensors examining the scene.

On Thursday, witnesses told CTV News that the explosion sent debris flying and shaking the walls of nearby buildings.

Don Catling, who was at nearby Comox Valley Airport, said: ‘I heard an explosion and it shook the building, I turned around and I saw a huge cloud of smoke and debris flying everywhere. “.

Catling added that the force of the explosion shook the walls of the airport.

Emergency crews are at the scene near where a building is being repaired that appears to have partially collapsed. (CTV News)

The incident is being investigated by federal and provincial officials, as well as the military.

The Defense Department said everyone at the base has been counted.

“Thank you to all the agencies and individuals who have offered to support the Wing,” Wing Comox 19 Wing commander Colonel Bryn Elliott said in a statement Friday.

“For our 19 Wing team, I am extremely proud of you, who took immediate, professional and courageous action to assist the injured and secure the scene,” he said. “The initial explosion is significant and the risk of further explosions is present for some time. Thank you for the job well done under extremely challenging circumstances.”

The base said the explosion did not affect any aircraft or affect its air operations.

Earlier this week, teams from 19 Wing Comox helped evacuate hundreds of people from landslides in British Columbia.