By Aiyeku Timothy
Eleven soldiers have so far fallen ill after drinking a beverage they mistook for alcohol during a training exercise at a Texas Army base on Thursday, officials said.
The soldiers are suffering from ethylene glycol poisoning, Lt. Col. Allie Payne, a spokesperson for Fort Bliss’ 1st Armored Division, said during a press briefing Friday afternoon.
Those harmed affected are one warrant officer, two non-commissioned officers and eight enlisted members, officials and have been under observation at William Beaumont Army Medical Center since Thursday afternoon.
The U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command is investigating how the soldiers came to ingest the substance and if there should be any disciplinary action, Payne said.
Ethylene glycol is found in consumer products like antifreeze and hydraulic brake fluid.
Two of the soldiers previously listed in critical condition have improved but remain seriously ill in the intensive care unit, Payne said.
The incident occurred on the final day of a 10-day field training exercise on Fort Bliss’ McGregor Range complex. The soldiers thought they were drinking an alcoholic beverage, Payne said.
Army personal are prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages while on duty and while in a training environment.
The Fort Bliss’ 1st Armored Division initially said the soldiers became sick after ingesting an “unknown substance,” according to a statement released Thursday.
In an update Friday morning, officials described the substance as “acquired outside of authorized food supply distribution channels.”
