Iraq soldier dies after shooting

A British soldier has died in Iraq after shooting himself, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

The soldier, serving with 20 Armoured Brigade, was injured at the Contingency Operating Base in Basra at about 2200 local time (1900 GMT) on Thursday.

The MoD said there was no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved. Next of kin have been informed.

The death takes the number of British service personnel killed on military operations in Iraq since 2003 to 178.

The MoD said the soldier died at the scene despite immediate medical assistance.

An investigation by the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch is under way.

The MoD expressed "profound sadness" over the death.

Last week L/Cpl David Wilson, of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps died in similar circumstances from a gunshot wound to the head.

L/Cpl Wilson was the first UK military fatality in Iraq since March.