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UK soldier killed in Afghanistan UK soldier killed in Afghanistan
(about 1 hour later)
A British soldier has been killed and another injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.A British soldier has been killed and another injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The soldiers, who have not been named, were from the 36 Engineer Regiment.The soldiers, who have not been named, were from the 36 Engineer Regiment.
An MoD spokesman said a helicopter had been sent to the scene of the blast and the two soldiers flown to a medical facility at Camp Bastion.An MoD spokesman said a helicopter had been sent to the scene of the blast and the two soldiers flown to a medical facility at Camp Bastion.
One was pronounced dead on arrival. The second soldier's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.One was pronounced dead on arrival. The second soldier's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Their regiment is based at barracks in Maidstone, Kent.
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."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."
Junior defence minister Derek Twigg, who is on a three-day trip to Afghanistan, said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.Junior defence minister Derek Twigg, who is on a three-day trip to Afghanistan, said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.
"My immediate thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades as they struggle to make sense of their loss," he said."My immediate thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades as they struggle to make sense of their loss," he said.
The death takes the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 79.The death takes the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 79.
Of the 79 killed, 23 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to MoD figures.Of the 79 killed, 23 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to MoD figures.
The next of kin of the two soldiers have been informed.The next of kin of the two soldiers have been informed.