British death toll in Afghanistan hits 200
- 00:03:46
- ITN
British death toll in Afghanistan hits 200
The number of British troops killed since the start of operations in Afghanistan has reached 200. A soldier died in the UK earlier from wounds suffered in Helmand Province on Thursday. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the grim milestone. He was from The 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and was injured in an explosion while on vehicle patrol near Musa Qal'eh. He died at the Royal College of Defence Medicine, in Selly Oak, West Midlands. The soldier's next of kin have been informed. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the death is "deeply tragic news". Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "This is a grim day. 200 brave service men and women have lost their lives in Afghanistan, bringing unbearable pain and immeasurable loss to their families and friends. "We mourn every single one of them, as we mourn the lives of those from our partners within Nato and the Afghan National Security Forces. "My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues." Meanwhile three British soldiers killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Thursday have been named. The troops were Captain Mark Hale and Rifleman Daniel Wild of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles and Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton of the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery.
ITN | August 15, 2009
