2 Dutch UN soldiers killed in Mali
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Two U.N. peacekeepers from the Netherlands were killed in the accidental explosion of a mortar during a training exercise on a firing range in Mali, and a third soldier was seriously wounded in the same incident, U.N. and Dutch officials said Wednesday.
Rob Bauer, acting commander of the Dutch armed forces, identified the victims as a 24-year-old corporal and a 29-year-old sergeant. The U.N. had already said two of its soldiers were killed but had not revealed their nationality.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali said in a statement that the accident happened Wednesday morning near Kidal.
The mission said an investigation is taking place to determine the cause of the accident. It said the wounded soldier is receiving medical treatment.
There are some 400 Dutch troops in Mali who are part of the 12,000-strong U.N. mission Minusma. Last March, another two Dutch soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash near Gao.
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