Two German soldiers have been killed during a training exercise when their jeep collided with a tank that somehow rolled on top of their vehicle.

The incident took place at the Bergen-Hohne Training Area in the German state of Lower Saxony on Tuesday when the two vehicles collided during a military exercise , with the exact circumstances still not revealed.

According to the news site Spiegel, the battle tank rolled on top of the smaller vehicle and crushed the two victims, one of whom was driving the jeep at the time.

The pair were reportedly killed on the spot, and it still remains unclear how the accident came about.

The Ministry of Defence announced on Twitter that two servicemen died in a “fatal accident” at the training centre, adding that personnel are in “deep sorrow” over the incident.

The MoD continued: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed.”

Army inspector Alfons Heribert August Mais echoed the sentiment saying: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the bereaved families and troops at the scene.”

Federal Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer also expressed her condolences to the victims’ loved ones.

The incident took place while Kramp-Karrenbauer was handing over ministerial responsibilities to her successor Christine Lambrecht.

Due to the tragic accident, an event with State Secretary Thomas Silberhorn had to be cancelled at short notice, according to the news site Tag 24.

It is unclear if the military is continuing to investigate the fatal accident.