Skip to main content

British marine killed in blast in Afghanistan

  • Story Highlights
  • Royal Marine killed when an explosion struck his patrol in Helmand province
  • Incident happened in the Kajaki area of Helmand
  • It is the second British service member killed in Afghanistan this year
  • Fifty-one British troops died in Afghanistan in 2008
  • Next Article in World »
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A British Royal Marine was killed Sunday in southern Afghanistan when an explosion struck his patrol in Helmand province, the Ministry of Defense said.

"The death of this Royal Marine is a tragedy for everyone in Task Force Helmand," Commander Paula Rowe, said in an MoD statement. "Whilst words cannot ease their loss, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this desperately sad time."

The marine's identity was not released.

The incident happened in the Kajaki area of Helmand on Sunday morning, the MoD said.

It is the second British service member killed in Afghanistan this year. A British soldier was killed by an explosion in the Garmsir district of Helmand province on January 1.

Fifty-one British troops died in Afghanistan in 2008 -- the highest death toll for any year since the mission began in October 2001, the defense ministry said.

All About AfghanistanAfghanistan WarHelmand Province

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print