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Two UN peacekeepers die in accidental explosion in Mali

Two UN peacekeepers die in accidental explosion in Mali

Mali

Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed and one seriously wounded in an accidental mortar explosion on Wednesday during an exercise in Kidal, north-eastern Mali.

A statement released by the United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on their social media pages said the explosion occured in the morning around 10:00 GMT during an exercise on a firing range.

“The blast also inflicted serious injuries to another peacekeeper who is receiving appropriate medical care,” it added without stating their nationalities.

La MINUSMA déplore la mort de deux Casques bleus suite à un exercice à #Kidal. #Malihttps://t.co/KbpaCC5cAF pic.twitter.com/RvGUP9oYOI

— MINUSMA (@UN_MINUSMA) July 6, 2016

Malian television citing government sources said two dutch soldiers were killed, Reuters said.

MINUSMA said an investigation is underway to clarify the exact circumstances of the tragic accident.

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