Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji soldier dies in Iraq

Posted at 22:29 on 08 July, 2007 UTC

A Fijian soldier serving with the British Army in Iraq has been killed.

23-year old Edward Frank Sanday Vakabua is reported to have shot himself accidentally at the British Army base at Basra on Friday.

Vakabua had been serving with the 4th Battalion The Rifles for the last 4 years and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

The British ministry of defence has launched an investigation into the accidental death.

Vakabua’s brother is also serving with the British Amy in Iraq and is expected to accompany the body back to Fiji.

Well over 2,000 Fijians are serving with the British Army as part of its recruitment from Commonwealth countries to meet the shortfall in numbers locally.