A machinegun mounted on a Ground Self-Defense Force vehicle went off accidentally in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah in May 2004, Defense Agency officials said Saturday.
Two cartridges were fired in the incident, but it was not reported to the Defense Agency chief as internal rules do not require a report unless injuries or damage are caused, the officials said.
A senior agency official said the accidental firing did not cause any injury or damage and there was no problem about the handling of the incident.
The incident occurred apparently due to vibration while a light armored vehicle, on which the 5.56-mm machinegun was mounted, was moving on a road near the GSDF's camp in Samawah.