OSLO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 27 Norwegian soldiers have been transported to hospital after a smoke grenade went off during a military exercise in Helgeland district in northern Norway, newspaper Aftenposten reported Thursday.
The soldiers got treated for eye, lung and skin damage and are observed at the Mosjoen hospital in Helgeland, said the newspaper.
According to Norwegian Armed Forces, even though the smoke itself is not dangerous, it contains a substance that can be harmful in case of excessive exposure.
The cause of the accident is still unknown, and the police started an investigation, public broadcaster NRK reported.
Military smoke grenades are used as signal smoke, target or landing zone markings or as shielding smoke during transfer.
