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14 UK troops die in Afghan crash 14 UK troops die in Afghan crash
(about 8 hours later)
Fourteen British service personnel have died after their aircraft crashed in Afghanistan.Fourteen British service personnel have died after their aircraft crashed in Afghanistan.
Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the RAF Nimrod MR2 which came down in the southern province of Kandahar.Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the RAF Nimrod MR2 which came down in the southern province of Kandahar.
The reconnaissance plane, based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland, belonged to the Nato-led force battling the Taleban.The reconnaissance plane, based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland, belonged to the Nato-led force battling the Taleban.
Officials said the incident appeared to be an accident and Tony Blair said it would "distress the whole country".Officials said the incident appeared to be an accident and Tony Blair said it would "distress the whole country".
The prime minister said: "Our thoughts go out immediately to the families of those who have died.The prime minister said: "Our thoughts go out immediately to the families of those who have died.
"British forces are engaged in a vital mission in Afghanistan and this terrible event starkly reminds us of the risk that they face daily.""British forces are engaged in a vital mission in Afghanistan and this terrible event starkly reminds us of the risk that they face daily."
It's a black day. It's a disaster for our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan Major Charles Heyman Quick guide: Afghanistan Factfile: Nimrod MR2 Send us your reactionIt's a black day. It's a disaster for our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan Major Charles Heyman Quick guide: Afghanistan Factfile: Nimrod MR2 Send us your reaction
The 12 RAF personnel on board the were all based at Kinloss and from the Moray area, a spokesman from the base said.The 12 RAF personnel on board the were all based at Kinloss and from the Moray area, a spokesman from the base said.
All next of kin have been informed.All next of kin have been informed.
UK Defence Secretary Des Browne described the incident as "dreadful and shocking" news and said the indications were it was a "terrible accident".UK Defence Secretary Des Browne described the incident as "dreadful and shocking" news and said the indications were it was a "terrible accident".
He added that "people needed to understand" why UK forces were in Afghanistan.He added that "people needed to understand" why UK forces were in Afghanistan.
"We are there in the context of a UN resolution - at the request of the United Nations Nato has taken on this very difficult task," he said."We are there in the context of a UN resolution - at the request of the United Nations Nato has taken on this very difficult task," he said.
"The developed world can't afford to allow Afghanistan to become a training ground for terrorists again."The developed world can't afford to allow Afghanistan to become a training ground for terrorists again.
"The whole of the developed world knows that and that's why almost all of the developed world - the whole of the civilised world - has troops and others present working with us on this task.""The whole of the developed world knows that and that's why almost all of the developed world - the whole of the civilised world - has troops and others present working with us on this task."
Angus Robertson, the SNP MP for Moray, said: "This is tragic news for the families and friends of the service personnel at RAF Kinloss.Angus Robertson, the SNP MP for Moray, said: "This is tragic news for the families and friends of the service personnel at RAF Kinloss.
"It brings home the terrible danger that our service personnel face and that they perform their duties with selflessness."It brings home the terrible danger that our service personnel face and that they perform their duties with selflessness.
"Our thoughts go out to everybody connected with the victims and RAF Kinloss at this time.""Our thoughts go out to everybody connected with the victims and RAF Kinloss at this time."
'Technical fault''Technical fault'
Nato forces say the plane was supporting the Nato mission in the area.Nato forces say the plane was supporting the Nato mission in the area.
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.
Crash implications probed MPs and experts respondCrash implications probed MPs and experts respond
Defence analyst, Major Charles Heyman, told BBC News 24: "It's a black day. It's a disaster for our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan.Defence analyst, Major Charles Heyman, told BBC News 24: "It's a black day. It's a disaster for our soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan.
"No other words can describe it. It's a big hit to morale. Believe me it really does affect morale.""No other words can describe it. It's a big hit to morale. Believe me it really does affect morale."
Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier Ed Butler, said recent loss of life has caused "profound personal devastation for families, friends and colleagues".Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier Ed Butler, said recent loss of life has caused "profound personal devastation for families, friends and colleagues".
But he paid tribute to the "quite remarkable" resilience and morale of British service personnel.But he paid tribute to the "quite remarkable" resilience and morale of British service personnel.
"I am personally humbled by their courage and commitment in getting on with the tough job in hand; delivering over and above, and making a difference to the ordinary people of Afghanistan," he said."I am personally humbled by their courage and commitment in getting on with the tough job in hand; delivering over and above, and making a difference to the ordinary people of Afghanistan," he said.
BBC defence correspondent, Paul Wood, told BBC News 24, said the plane could have been supporting an operation in a place called Panjwayi - west of Kandahar.BBC defence correspondent, Paul Wood, told BBC News 24, said the plane could have been supporting an operation in a place called Panjwayi - west of Kandahar.
"It's a town - which has been in Taleban hands - which has been forced back into coalition hands by a big push, still continuing today.""It's a town - which has been in Taleban hands - which has been forced back into coalition hands by a big push, still continuing today."
MOD HELPLINE A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relativesMOD HELPLINE A special helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives
Conservative Party leader David Cameron, who said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the accident, has sent his condolences to the friends and families of those killed.Conservative Party leader David Cameron, who said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the accident, has sent his condolences to the friends and families of those killed.
"Today's tragic loss is a reminder of the extraordinarily difficult conditions in which our armed forces are operating in Afghanistan," he said."Today's tragic loss is a reminder of the extraordinarily difficult conditions in which our armed forces are operating in Afghanistan," he said.
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.
Some 4,500 British troops are in the country to help train Afghan security forces, facilitate reconstruction, and provide security. There are 5,500 British troops in the country helping to train Afghan security forces, facilitate reconstruction, and provide security.
But in Helmand, the emphasis is also on counter-narcotics, as the province is the "largest single source of opium in Afghanistan".But in Helmand, the emphasis is also on counter-narcotics, as the province is the "largest single source of opium in Afghanistan".
British troops have found themselves in virtually daily gun battles with the Taleban, who have been regrouping.British troops have found themselves in virtually daily gun battles with the Taleban, who have been regrouping.
AFGHAN AIR CRASHES 31 August 2006 - Dutch F-16 fighter pilot dies in crash in south of country27 July 2006 - 16 people of multiple nationalities die in helicopter crash in south east6 May 2006 - 10 US soldiers die in helicopter crash in Kunar province24 April 2006- Five die when US anti-drugs plane crashes in southern Afghanistan11 November 2005 - Civilian cargo jet from Bagram crashes killing eight25 September 2005 - Five US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Zabul province16 August 2005 - 17 Spanish soldiers die when Cougar helicopter crashes near Herat28 June 2005 - 16 US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Kunar province6 April 2005 - 15 US soldiers and three civilian contractors die in helicopter crash in Ghazni provinceAFGHAN AIR CRASHES 31 August 2006 - Dutch F-16 fighter pilot dies in crash in south of country27 July 2006 - 16 people of multiple nationalities die in helicopter crash in south east6 May 2006 - 10 US soldiers die in helicopter crash in Kunar province24 April 2006- Five die when US anti-drugs plane crashes in southern Afghanistan11 November 2005 - Civilian cargo jet from Bagram crashes killing eight25 September 2005 - Five US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Zabul province16 August 2005 - 17 Spanish soldiers die when Cougar helicopter crashes near Herat28 June 2005 - 16 US soldiers die in Chinook crash in Kunar province6 April 2005 - 15 US soldiers and three civilian contractors die in helicopter crash in Ghazni province
The crash comes as Afghan and Nato troops began a major anti-Taleban drive in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar.The crash comes as Afghan and Nato troops began a major anti-Taleban drive in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar.
The plane came down about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar, Maj Scott Lundy of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said.The plane came down about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar, Maj Scott Lundy of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said.
There was no indication of an enemy attack on the plane, which was not a fighter jet.There was no indication of an enemy attack on the plane, which was not a fighter jet.
It was "supporting a Nato mission. It went off the radar and crashed in an open area", he said.It was "supporting a Nato mission. It went off the radar and crashed in an open area", he said.
The crash is thought to be the biggest single loss of British troops in Iraq or Afghanistan since military operations began there in 2001.The crash is thought to be the biggest single loss of British troops in Iraq or Afghanistan since military operations began there in 2001.
Ten British armed personnel were killed when a Hercules C130K crashed north-west of Baghdad in January 2005.Ten British armed personnel were killed when a Hercules C130K crashed north-west of Baghdad in January 2005.
There have been four previous crashes of Nimrods since 1980, two of them involving fatalities.There have been four previous crashes of Nimrods since 1980, two of them involving fatalities.
The last took place 11 years ago to the day when seven crew from Kinloss died at an air show near Toronto, Canada.The last took place 11 years ago to the day when seven crew from Kinloss died at an air show near Toronto, Canada.
The incident was blamed on pilot error.The incident was blamed on pilot error.