3 killed in explosion at Los Angeles police training facility

At least three police officers have lost their lives in a powerful explosion at the Biscailuz Academy training center of the County Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles, US, officials say.

One other person was also injured in the blast. However, their identity and condition have not been clearly confirmed. The injured person was taken to a nearby hospital.

The explosion happened at 7:30am local time on Friday (3:30pm Bangladesh time) in the parking lot of the Special Enforcement Bureau in East Los Angeles. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

According to initial information, the explosion occurred while sheriff’s deputies were handling an unexploded bomb, which was recently recovered during a bomb disposal operation.

After the incident, the area was sealed off and emergency services started working to secure the site. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) bomb squad also arrived to check if there were any other explosive materials in the area.

Several federal agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Department of Homeland Security, are assisting in the investigation.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and described it as “horrific” in a post on X. She said federal agents have been sent to the site and are working to gather more details.

The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said he has been briefed on the situation and is closely monitoring it. State-level support is also being provided.

Kathryn Barger, head of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement that she is closely following the developments and trying to learn what exactly happened and how the injured are doing.

She added, "My heart is heavy. My deepest sympathies go out to the brave men and women of the Sheriff’s Department during this difficult time."