A British national has been killed while clearing mines from the Iraqi city of Ramadi, it has been confirmed.
US demining company Janus Global Operations announced the death of the contractor on Monday, but did not provide any further details.
The mayor of Ramadi, Ibrahim al-Osej, told AFP news agency: “A contractor of British origin was killed and another wounded as they attempted to defuse an (improvised explosive device) in the Malaab neighbourhood.”
A British embassy spokesman confirmed they were aware of the death of a British national in Ramadi.
A second contractor was injured in the incident but their nationality has not been confirmed.
Ramadi was reclaimed by Iraqi forces from Islamic State earlier this year, 18 months after it had been taken by Islamic State.
The contract for clearing the thousands of mines and other booby traps left behind by IS militants was awarded to Janus Global Operations.
The company has western contractors working with Iraqis de-mining roads in the city, which lies about 62 miles west of Baghdad.
lbc.co.uk
