RAF men die in Afghanistan blast

Two servicemen from the RAF Regiment were killed in a roadside blast in southern Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The pair died during the explosion in Kandahar Province on Sunday 13 April at 1848 local time, the MoD said.

Two other service personnel were injured in the incident, which took place during a routine patrol 1.2 miles (2km) west of Kandahar Airfield.

Next of kin of all those involved have been notified.

Period of grace

An MoD statement said that medical treatment was provided at the scene and all four were evacuated to the field hospital at Kandahar Airfield. "Sadly, despite the best efforts of the medical team, two of the servicemen died as a result of their wounds," the statement added.

The injuries of the two surviving personnel are not thought to be life-threatening.

A 24-hour period of grace would be observed before further details were released, the MoD said.

The deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 93.