This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7910885.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK soldiers die in Afghan blast | UK soldiers die in Afghan blast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Three British soldiers have been killed by an enemy improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. | Three British soldiers have been killed by an enemy improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. |
| The soldiers, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, were hit by a blast in the Gereshk district of Helmand Province. | The soldiers, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, were hit by a blast in the Gereshk district of Helmand Province. |
| A medical helicopter was scrambled but all three were pronounced dead. Next of kin have been informed. | A medical helicopter was scrambled but all three were pronounced dead. Next of kin have been informed. |
| The deaths on Wednesday morning take the number of UK servicemen and women killed there since October 2001 to 148. | |
| Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand, said it was an incredibly sad day for the whole force. | Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand, said it was an incredibly sad day for the whole force. |
| "We will all feel the loss of these brave soldiers, whose role was to build the capacity of the Afghan National Army," she said. Their valiant efforts will not be forgotten Brig Gen Richard Blanchette | |
| "But it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers." | "But it is their family, friends and loved ones, as well as the men and women who served alongside them, who feel the greatest pain and we offer them our deepest and heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers." |
| The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said the soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said the soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device. |
| Spokesman Brig Gen Richard Blanchette said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of these soldiers and offer our condolences to their grieving families. | Spokesman Brig Gen Richard Blanchette said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of these soldiers and offer our condolences to their grieving families. |
| "Their valiant efforts will not be forgotten, and spurs us to continue our vital mission to bring security to the people of Afghanistan." | "Their valiant efforts will not be forgotten, and spurs us to continue our vital mission to bring security to the people of Afghanistan." |
| It was the worst loss of life in a single incident for UK forces since December. | It was the worst loss of life in a single incident for UK forces since December. |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt described the incident as an "escort operation" and said improvised explosive devices are an increasing cause of death amongst UK soldiers. | |
| "We understand the men may have been travelling in a Wimik, which is an armoured Land Rover," she said. | |
| "But obviously if you have a bomb of a certain size, that can still be triggered despite the kind of counter measures they will have on those vehicles." |