Nearly a dozen United States Army soldiers stationed at the Fort Bliss in Texas were rushed to the hospital after they ingested an industrial compound found in antifreeze, reports said Saturday, citing a statement from base officials.
The 11 soldiers fell sick Thursday during a field training drill after drinking a substance "outside of authorized food supply distribution channels," U.S. Army officials said.
The injured personnel, two of them in critical status, have been identified as one warrant officer, two non-commissioned officers, and eight enlisted members. They are all currently being treated at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center.
One of the soldiers had to be intubated but no longer requires breathing assistance, Payne said. Four of the servicemen were expected to be released from the hospital soon.
The medical facility is located on the base and is "one of America's biggest and most complex healthcare institutions, and the world's preeminent military healthcare delivery operation," the hospital's website says.
"Initial reports show the Army soldiers consumed the substance thinking they were drinking an alcoholic beverage," Lt. Col. Allie Payne, public affairs officer for the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, said during press briefing Friday.
It is unclear what type of disciplinary action the soldiers might be subjected to if the investigation finds out they did consume alcohol while on duty.
Fort Bliss officials said the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CIC) is conducting a thorough probe. The base senior commander has also ordered an administrative inquiry.
Payne said all 11 soldiers are stationed at the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. They are prohibited from drinking any alcoholic beverages while on duty when involved in a training environment.
Payne said the incident took place on the final day of a 10-day field training exercise at the base's McGregor Range Complex. The hospital provided emergency antidote treatment within the first 24 hours, Payne said.
In a media release, Maj. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, senior mission commander of the U.S. 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, said they took "immediate action to treat everyone involved with the best medical care available."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Ethylene glycol is an industrial compound found in many consumer products, including hydraulic brake fluids, automotive antifreeze, and some stamp pad inks, ballpens, solvents, paints, plastics, films, and cosmetics. The compound has a sweet taste and is often accidentally or intentionally ingested."
