Three Ground Self-Defense Force members died and one other was seriously injured Tuesday after an explosion occurred inside a tank during training at the Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture.
The GSDF unit had been conducting target practice with a Type 10 tank when a shell detonated prematurely inside the gun turret, GSDF officials said.
The explosion, which occurred at around 8:40 a.m., killed Sgt. 1st Class Kentaro Hamabe, 45, Sgt. Shingo Takayama, 31, and Sgt. Kozo Kanai, 30, officials said.
