A Belgian soldier has died from injuries sustained during a NATO training exercise in Lithuania, Belgian authorities confirmed late Saturday, prompting both federal and military investigations into the incident.
According to a joint statement by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken and Chief of Defense Frederik Vansina, the soldier — a member of the Artillery Battalion in Brasschaat — was injured during a mortar exercise on Friday. He later died in hospital on Saturday. The soldier’s name has not been publicly released.
Belgium’s federal public prosecutor has opened an investigation, while the Defense Ministry has initiated a separate internal probe to determine the precise circumstances of the fatal accident. A federal magistrate and two detectives specializing in military affairs have already visited the scene, according to Belgian media reports.
Minister Francken said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic accident,” sending sympathy to the soldier’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda also expressed condolences, stating that Belgian troops deployed in Lithuania make an “invaluable contribution to the security of our nation and the entire Alliance,” and emphasizing that their “dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Nearly 200 Belgian soldiers have been stationed in Lithuania since the summer as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces mission, a multinational effort across eight Eastern European countries aimed at strengthening deterrence and collective defense.
