RCMP on scene of mass casualty event in Manitoba First Nation

Manitoba RCMP are reporting a “mass casualty event” on a First Nation north of Winnipeg. Eight victims are enroute to hospital in Winnipeg from Hollow Water First Nation, a spokesperson for Manitoba Shared Health confirmed. Two were transported to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC) by air ambulance. The hospital has declared a “Code Orange Alert” as a result, alerting staff members to the emergency, the spokesperson said. RCMP said they were called to the Anishinaabe community about 200 km northeast of Winnipeg on Thursday. They said in a news release they sent a “heavy police presence” to a “serious incident” that occurred just before 8:30 a.m. “Powerview RCMP along with officers from multiple surrounding detachments and specialized RCMP units,” responded, they said in the release issued Thursday morning. “Residents of Hollow Water First Nation can expect a heavy police presence in the community throughout the day. At this time, there is no risk to public safety.” Provincial Road 304 is currently closed in both directions south of Black River First Nation in relation to this incident, the police added. “We were alerted to a mass casualty event on Hollow River First Nation this morning,” the spokesperson for Share Health said. “Multiple patients are inbound to the HSC Emergency Department with varying levels of acuity. Six patients have been transported via ground assets, while two have been taken by STARS helicopters.” Further details are expected at a news conference RCMP have scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Today is the three-year anniversary of the mass casualty on James Smith Cree Nation in northern Saskatchewan. A mass stabbing by a male band member in 2022 killed 11 people and injured 17 others. -This is a developing story and new information will be added as received. Continue Reading