Four British marines killed in Afghanistan blastsFour British troops were killed in two separate explosions Friday in troubled southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said."Four Royal Marines Royal Marines Noun, pl Brit a corps of soldiers specially trained in amphibious warfare were killed in two separate incidents in the Sangin area of Helmand province this morning," the MoD said in a statement. In the explosion which occurred south of the town of Sangin, three marines -- two from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment -- were killed. "They were taking part in a routine operation against enemy forces in the area," the MoD said. One marine died instantly, a second died of his wounds before he could be evacuated and the third died of his wounds in the hospital at Camp Bastion Camp Bastion is the main British military base in Afghanistan. It is situated north of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province. It is the largest British overseas military camp built since World War II. , Britain's main base in Afghanistan. The other explosion took place in the Sangin area. One soldier from 45 Commando, who was taking part in a routine patrol, was killed as a result. He died of his wounds while being taken to Camp Bastion. The next of kin The blood relatives entitled by law to inherit the property of a person who dies without leaving a valid will, although the term is sometimes interpreted to include a relationship existing by reason of marriage. Cross-references Descent and Distribution. have been informed. Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the soldiers killed. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these brave men who died in the service of their country," he said. "We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. This is a tragic loss. "Fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan puts our armed forces in the front line against terrorism. I know that the whole country is immensely proud of all those who serve in our armed forces and what they do to protect each and every one of us." The deaths take to 132 the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001, when US-led forces ousted the Taliban in the wake of the September 11 attacks September 11 attacks Series of airline hijackings and suicide bombings against U.S. targets perpetrated by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda. in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of and Washington. They are the first since two Royal Marines from 42 Commando were killed on November 27. They were shot at by insurgents Insurgents, in U.S. history, the Republican Senators and Representatives who in 1909–10 rose against the Republican standpatters controlling Congress, to oppose the Payne-Aldrich tariff and the dictatorial power of House speaker Joseph G. Cannon. while on foot patrol north-west of Lashkar Gar in Helmand Province. Britain has around 8,000 troops in Afghanistan, largely based in Helmand, where they are battling Taliban insurgents. The MoD's announcement Friday came two and a half hours after it confirmed the 178th British military fatality fa·tal·i·ty n. 1. A death resulting from an accident or disaster. 2. One that is killed as a result of such an occurrence. in the Iraq campaign, an incident in which a soldier shot himself. 
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