Two military crew members are under investigation for manslaughter after a soldier and a civilian were crushed to death by a tank during a training exercise in Germany.
The unnamed officer, 31, and civilian employee, 62, died after a Leopard 2 main battle tank rolled on top of their SUV and crushed it.
The incident took place during a military training exercise involving over 200 soldiers and 50 vehicles in December 2021.
According to local media, four soldiers were inside the tank when the incident unfolded at the Bergen-Hohne Training Area in the German state of Lower Saxony.
The Bundeswehr (German armed forces) provided psychological care for all four soldiers following the incident.
But now, the Verden Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that two of the soldiers are under investigation for manslaughter.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, 15th February, and concerns a commander, 26, and a corporal, 35.
According to the judicial body, an expert report that is in progress aims to clarify how the incident unfolded and how the two vehicles crossed paths on such a large area.
The German newspaper Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reported that it is not clear when the report will be ready.
Brigadier General Ullrich Spannuth told broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk in December: “The whole Armoured Corps School is in mourning.”
And Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Alfons Mais said at the time: “Our thoughts and our sympathies are with the bereaved families and the troops on site.”
The investigation is ongoing.
