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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 14 Britons killed in Afghanistan | 14 Britons killed in Afghanistan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Fourteen British service personnel have died after their aircraft crashed in Afghanistan, the MoD has said. | Fourteen British service personnel have died after their aircraft crashed in Afghanistan, the MoD has said. |
| Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were among those who died in the crash in the southern province of Kandahar. | Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were among those who died in the crash in the southern province of Kandahar. |
| The aircraft belonged to Nato-led international force against the Taleban. | |
| UK Defence Secretary Des Browne said "all indications are that this was a terrible accident". | UK Defence Secretary Des Browne said "all indications are that this was a terrible accident". |
| This is not the time for speculation, as the operation to secure the crash site is ongoing UK Defence Secretary Des Browne | |
| He added: "This is dreadful and shocking news. I know that the people of Britain will join me in sending our deep condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives. | |
| "I can say, however, at this stage all the indications are that this was a terrible accident and not the result of hostile action." | |
| 'Technical fault' | |
| An International Security Assistance Force spokesman said "enemy action had been discounted at this stage". | An International Security Assistance Force spokesman said "enemy action had been discounted at this stage". |
| It is believed the cause of the crash was "a technical fault"' | It is believed the cause of the crash was "a technical fault"' |
| The BBC's Roland Buerk in Afghanistan said it was thought the aircraft was "some kind of troop transporter". | |
| Nato forces say it was supporting the Nato mission in the area. | |
| Ministry of Defence Helpline A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives The crash is thought to be the biggest single loss of British troops in Iraq or Afghanistan since military operations began there in 2001. | Ministry of Defence Helpline A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives The crash is thought to be the biggest single loss of British troops in Iraq or Afghanistan since military operations began there in 2001. |
| Ten British armed personnel were killed when a Hercules C130K crashed north-west of Baghdad in January 2005. | Ten British armed personnel were killed when a Hercules C130K crashed north-west of Baghdad in January 2005. |
| The latest crash comes as Afghan and Nato troops began a major anti-Taleban drive in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar which has seen months of fighting. | |
| Earlier, Nato said its forces had launched a major offensive against known hideouts of Taleban insurgents in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar, with the aim of driving them out of the area. | |
| QUICK GUIDEAfghanistan | |
| There was no indication of an enemy attack on the plane, which was not a fighter jet, Maj Scott Lundy said. | There was no indication of an enemy attack on the plane, which was not a fighter jet, Maj Scott Lundy said. |
| Afghanistan is experiencing its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001. Much of the fighting has been concentrated in the south. | Afghanistan is experiencing its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001. Much of the fighting has been concentrated in the south. |
| The plane came down about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar, Maj Lundy of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said. | The plane came down about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar, Maj Lundy of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said. |
| It was "supporting a Nato mission. It went off the radar and crashed in an open area in Kandahar." | It was "supporting a Nato mission. It went off the radar and crashed in an open area in Kandahar." |
| AFGHAN AIR CRASHES 31 August 2006 - Dutch F-16 fighter pilot dies in crash in south of country27 July 2006 - 16 people of multiple nationalities die in helicopter crash in south east6 May 2006 - 10 US soldiers die in helicopter crash in Kunar province24 April 2006- Five die when US anti-drugs plane crashes in southern Afghanistan11 November 2005 - Civilian cargo jet from Bagram crashes killing eight25 September 2005 - Five US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Zabul province16 August 2005 - 17 Spanish soldiers die when Cougar helicopter crashes near Herat28 June 2005 - 16 US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Kunar province6 April 2005 - 15 US soldiers and three civilian contractors die in helicopter crash in Ghazni province | AFGHAN AIR CRASHES 31 August 2006 - Dutch F-16 fighter pilot dies in crash in south of country27 July 2006 - 16 people of multiple nationalities die in helicopter crash in south east6 May 2006 - 10 US soldiers die in helicopter crash in Kunar province24 April 2006- Five die when US anti-drugs plane crashes in southern Afghanistan11 November 2005 - Civilian cargo jet from Bagram crashes killing eight25 September 2005 - Five US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Zabul province16 August 2005 - 17 Spanish soldiers die when Cougar helicopter crashes near Herat28 June 2005 - 16 US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Kunar province6 April 2005 - 15 US soldiers and three civilian contractors die in helicopter crash in Ghazni province |
| Nato forces are at the scene but there is no word on how many people were on board. A large Canadian contingent is based in Kandahar province. | Nato forces are at the scene but there is no word on how many people were on board. A large Canadian contingent is based in Kandahar province. |
| A local tribal elder told the Associated Press news agency by phone that the wreckage of the plane was burning in an open field. | A local tribal elder told the Associated Press news agency by phone that the wreckage of the plane was burning in an open field. |
| "I can see three or four helicopters in the sky, and coalition forces are also arriving in the area," he said. | "I can see three or four helicopters in the sky, and coalition forces are also arriving in the area," he said. |
| On Thursday, a Dutch F-16 fighter pilot was killed after his plane crashed in the southern province of Ghazni. | On Thursday, a Dutch F-16 fighter pilot was killed after his plane crashed in the southern province of Ghazni. |
| Officials said the crash was believed to be an accident. | Officials said the crash was believed to be an accident. |