A British explosives expert has been killed and a colleague injured while trying to dismantle an improvised explosive device in the Iraqi city of Ramadi.
The city was retaken by Iraqi forces from Islamic State eight months ago. The Briton is understood to have been working for the US-based company Janus Global Organisation, which was awarded a contract to clear the hundreds of IEDs and booby-traps left behind by jihadis in the city.
The second contractor is also British. The Foreign Office said in a statement: “We are in contact with the employer of a British national who has died in Iraq and have offered our support at this difficult time.” A spokesperson for Janus said: “Earlier today there was an incident in Ramadi at a worksite of Janus Global, the firm the [US] state department has engaged to clear that city of unexploded ordnance, abandoned explosive ordnance, and improvised explosive devices.
“The incident is under investigation, but what we can confirm is that sadly there was one fatality, a national of the United Kingdom. Another national of the United Kingdom suffered minor injuries. Until this investigation is more complete we will not be providing further information. At this point, our focus is on the family of our colleague and the health and safety of our team in the field.”
Ibrahim al-Osej, mayor of Ramadi, which is the capital of the western Anbar province, confirmed the incident, saying: “A contractor of British origin was killed and another wounded as they attempted to defuse an IED in the Malaab neighbourhood.”
Iraqi forces, backed by US-led coalition airstrikes, retook Ramadi in December after a battle that led the population to flee and left the city in ruins. Mine-clearing operations must be completed before the city’s residents can return and reconstruction can begin.
