UK soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

A British soldier has been killed and another injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldier, from 36 Engineer Regiment, died after an Army dump truck was hit by an explosion in Helmand Province.

The MoD said the soldiers were taking part in a routine logistics convoy, nearly 12 miles (19km) north east of the town of Gereshk when they were attacked just after 3.30pm local time yesterday.

Next of kin have been informed.

An MoD spokesman said: "It is with immense sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment has been killed and another injured in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan."

He said an emergency response helicopter was sent to the scene of the blast and the two injured soldiers were flown to the Isaf medical facility at Camp Bastion.

The most seriously injured soldier was pronounced dead on arrival. The injuries suffered by the second soldier are not thought to be life-threatening.

The families of the soldiers have requested 24 hours before further details are released.

Earlier this month, Sergeant Craig Brelsford, 25, along with Private Johan Botha, also 25, from Pretoria in South Africa, died after a patrol was attacked in Helmand province.

Both men were members of the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).

Yesterday's death takes the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001 to 79.