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UK soldier killed in Afghanistan UK serviceman dies in Afghanistan
(about 1 hour later)
One British soldier has been killed and three others were injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. One British serviceman has been killed and three others were injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan.
The blast happened on Wednesday, during a reconnaissance mission in a desert south of Garmsir in Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said.The blast happened on Wednesday, during a reconnaissance mission in a desert south of Garmsir in Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said.
The MoD said it was not yet known what caused the blast, but there were no Taleban forces in the area at the time. The MoD said it was not yet known what caused the blast, but there are suggestions it could have been a mine.
One of the wounded soldiers was seriously hurt and the other two sustained minor injuries. One of the wounded servicemen was seriously hurt and the other two sustained minor injuries.
The dead soldier's next of kin are being informed. The dead servicemen's next of kin are being informed.
The MoD would not confirm whether the serviceman who died was a Royal Marine.
'Speedy recovery''Speedy recovery'
The Commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, said his thoughts and condolences were with the dead soldier's family, friends and colleagues. Lieutenant Colonel Andy Price, of the Royal Marines, said: "A patrol had gone out on a reconnaissance to look at a specific piece of land and there was an explosion.
"It could have been a legacy mine from many years ago or it could have been a deliberate attack on us, though it's unlikely as it was in the middle of the desert," he told Sky News.
The MoD said there were no Taleban forces in the area at the time.
The Commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, said his thoughts and condolences were with the dead serviceman's family, friends and colleagues.
He said the sense of tragedy was heightened by the fact that it had taken place "during this special time of the year".He said the sense of tragedy was heightened by the fact that it had taken place "during this special time of the year".
"My thoughts are also with the soldier who was seriously injured and I wish him a speedy recovery," he said."My thoughts are also with the soldier who was seriously injured and I wish him a speedy recovery," he said.
Brig Thomas added: "The soldier's colleagues remain on the ground and are continuing with their task, despite their loss.Brig Thomas added: "The soldier's colleagues remain on the ground and are continuing with their task, despite their loss.
"They are determined to complete their mission.""They are determined to complete their mission."
The number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 44.The number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 is now 44.
Of the 44, 21 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to the MoD.Of the 44, 21 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to the MoD.