At Least 40 Australian Soldiers Injured in Incident at Townsville Army Base

On 13 February 2026, emergency services responded to a significant incident at Lavarack Barracks, a major Australian Army base in Townsville, Queensland, in which at least 40 personnel were assessed for injuries following the collapse of a large equipment stand.

According to reports from emergency crews, a portable stand believed to have been in use for a military event at the base unexpectedly collapsed in the early afternoon, leaving dozens of soldiers injured.

Queensland Ambulance Services and multiple rescue units were dispatched to the scene to provide medical care and triage for those affected.

A spokesperson from the Australian Defence Force confirmed that the incident occurred during normal base activities and that medical assistance was provided on site and at nearby medical facilities. Many of the injured personnel suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including damage to arms and legs, though some were transported to hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

Emergency services remained on site throughout the afternoon, and Police from the Queensland Police Service assisted as needed to secure the area and facilitate emergency access.

Defence officials have stated that the health and welfare of all personnel remains their priority and that injured soldiers are receiving ongoing support.

The exact cause of the stand’s collapse is currently under investigation, with military authorities and defence safety personnel reviewing the incident to determine how it occurred and whether any procedural or equipment failures contributed to the event.

At this time, Defence has not released the total number of soldiers involved in the incident, only confirming that at least 40 personnel were assessed for injuries at the scene and in medical facilities. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues