A 28-year-old Dutch corporal has died during a military exercise in Germany, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The fatal accident involved a Fennek armoured reconnaissance vehicle and took place in the dark on Tuesday evening during the international exercise Ferocious Bison, near the Munster Süd training area.

The corporal was one of around 550 soldiers taking part in the exercise.

The military police (marechaussee) have launched an investigation, while the Dutch Safety Board and the defence ministry safety inspectorate are both conducting their own inquiries.

Defence ministry officials said the incident appears to have been an accident.

“The ministry is shocked and extends its condolences to relatives and the corporal’s immediate colleagues,” the ministry said in a statement. Defence chief Onno Eichelsheim also expressed his sympathy on social media.

It is the third death of a Dutch soldier during a training exercise in Germany in just over 18 months. In March last year, a 28-year-old officer died from injuries sustained during an exercise involving an infantry fighting vehicle, and in April this year a 21-year-old private was killed during another training exercise.