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| Inquiry into Afghan crash begins | Inquiry into Afghan crash begins |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An investigation has begun to find out why an RAF plane crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing 14 UK forces personnel on board. | An investigation has begun to find out why an RAF plane crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing 14 UK forces personnel on board. |
| The Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft came down near the city of Kandahar. | The Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft came down near the city of Kandahar. |
| It is believed a technical fault was to blame for the loss of the plane, which came from RAF Kinloss in Moray. | It is believed a technical fault was to blame for the loss of the plane, which came from RAF Kinloss in Moray. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute to those who had died and dismissed claims by the Taleban that militia had shot down the plane. | Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute to those who had died and dismissed claims by the Taleban that militia had shot down the plane. |
| He said: "The Taleban regularly make claims which we know to be untrue and I think in this case, this is instructive of the nature of their dishonesty." | He said: "The Taleban regularly make claims which we know to be untrue and I think in this case, this is instructive of the nature of their dishonesty." |
| He called the crash "dreadful, shocking news", saying that the priority was to help the families of those who had died. | He called the crash "dreadful, shocking news", saying that the priority was to help the families of those who had died. |
| It was not enemy fire that brought the plane down, it was equipment malfunction Dr Alexandra Ashbourne Quick guide: Afghanistan Factfile: Nimrod MR2 Send us your reaction | It was not enemy fire that brought the plane down, it was equipment malfunction Dr Alexandra Ashbourne Quick guide: Afghanistan Factfile: Nimrod MR2 Send us your reaction |
| Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the plane. The next of kin have been informed of the tragedy. | Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the plane. The next of kin have been informed of the tragedy. |
| Mr Browne added: "In Afghanistan, we have secured the site and the investigation has begun. | Mr Browne added: "In Afghanistan, we have secured the site and the investigation has begun. |
| "I can confirm that the indications both before the crash and since suggest that this has been a dreadful, tragic accident." | "I can confirm that the indications both before the crash and since suggest that this has been a dreadful, tragic accident." |
| Major Luke Knittig, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said the aircraft, which had been acting in a support role to the Nato-led force battling the Taleban, had made an emergency call shortly before it disappeared. | Major Luke Knittig, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said the aircraft, which had been acting in a support role to the Nato-led force battling the Taleban, had made an emergency call shortly before it disappeared. |
| Coalition helicopters were reportedly seen flying to the scene of the crash, about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar. | Coalition helicopters were reportedly seen flying to the scene of the crash, about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar. |
| Crash implications probed MPs and experts respond | Crash implications probed MPs and experts respond |
| Defence analyst Dr Alexandra Ashbourne said the investigation into why the plane went down would focus on a number of areas. | Defence analyst Dr Alexandra Ashbourne said the investigation into why the plane went down would focus on a number of areas. |
| "It was not enemy fire that brought the plane down, it was equipment malfunction," she said. | "It was not enemy fire that brought the plane down, it was equipment malfunction," she said. |
| "It is normally a very safe plane but something catastrophic has clearly happened." | "It is normally a very safe plane but something catastrophic has clearly happened." |
| Aviation journalist, Jim Ferguson, said the reconnaissance planes had been operating in and around the country for some time. | Aviation journalist, Jim Ferguson, said the reconnaissance planes had been operating in and around the country for some time. |
| "It is used a lot for search and rescue and it may well be doing other interesting tasks out in Afghanistan." | "It is used a lot for search and rescue and it may well be doing other interesting tasks out in Afghanistan." |
| The pilot is believed to have radioed ground staff about a technical fault shortly before the aircraft came down. | The pilot is believed to have radioed ground staff about a technical fault shortly before the aircraft came down. |
| The crash brings the death toll of UK forces personnel in Afghanistan to 36 since the start of operations in November 2001. | The crash brings the death toll of UK forces personnel in Afghanistan to 36 since the start of operations in November 2001. |
| MOD HELPLINE A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives | MOD HELPLINE A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives |
| Afghanistan is experiencing its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, with much of the fighting concentrated in the south. | Afghanistan is experiencing its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, with much of the fighting concentrated in the south. |
| There are 5,500 British troops in the country, helping to train Afghan security forces, facilitate reconstruction and provide security. | |
| Over past few months Nato troops have been involved in deepening counter-insurgency operations, BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said. | Over past few months Nato troops have been involved in deepening counter-insurgency operations, BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said. |
| He added that the plane is said to have been flying a surveillance mission to support a Nato operation in the town of Panjwayi, a town regularly threatened by the Taleban. | He added that the plane is said to have been flying a surveillance mission to support a Nato operation in the town of Panjwayi, a town regularly threatened by the Taleban. |
| "As operations intensify in the south, Nato has given itself six months to show that the Afghan government is on the winning side," our correspondent added. | "As operations intensify in the south, Nato has given itself six months to show that the Afghan government is on the winning side," our correspondent added. |