Tagged with nato spokesman
SKOPJE (BNO NEWS) — A large explosion at a steel factory in the Macedonian capital injured one person on Tuesday morning, according to authorities. Reports on what caused the blast widely varied.
The blast at the factory happened at 7.55 a.m. local time in the north of Skopje, according to NATO and the country’s Center for Crisis Management. One person was injured and transported to a local hospital.
Local media outlets initially reported that a NATO plane could have caused the crash, but NATO spokesman Sasko Golov said no NATO planes were missing. “We are investigating whether some flying object from [the NATO Kosovo Force] had some problems, but until now, we can’t confirm that,” Golov said.
Golov said there were two possible explanations for the blast at the factory in Skopje. “[The] first one, a container with some kind of gas exploded in a steel factory and [flew] almost two kilometers,” he said. “The second possibility is that it was a drone (unmanned aircraft), belonging to the Macedonian Ministry of Interior.” Golov said the Ministry of Interior is still investigating that possibility.
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KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Two more coalition soldiers, including a Briton, were killed in two separate incidents in southern Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday.
The British soldier, from 6 RIFLES serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, died from his wounds received as a result of an explosion that happened near Forward Operating Base Inkerman, to the north-east of Sangin in Helmand Province, the British Ministry of Defence said.
Britain did not immediately provide more information on the incident, which happened on Sunday afternoon local time. According to the NATO-led ISAF alliance, the soldier died as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) strike.
“It is my sad duty to inform you that a British soldier from 6 RIFLES, serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed by an explosion earlier today near Sangin,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand. “He was part of a foot patrol operating near Forward Operating Base Inkerman, to the north-east of Sangin District Centre. His boldness and commitment in the face of danger day on day will not be forgotten.”
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released. Britain said the death was not connected to Operation Moshtarak.
Another coalition soldier died on Saturday, but his death was not announced until Sunday. NATO said the soldier, who died of wounds sustained in small-arms fire in southern Afghanistan, was not taking part in Operation Moshtarak.
It was not immediately clear which nation the second soldier was from. “At this point we cannot confirm the nationality of the soldier,” a NATO spokesman said, saying next-of-kin had not been notified yet.
The latest casualty brings the total number of British troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 14, according to a BNO News count. In total, 66 coalition troops have died in Afghanistan this year, most of the casualties are from the United States and died during IED strikes.
