KABUL, Afghanistan, March 7 (UPI) -- Six British troops were missing and presumed dead following a blast that destroyed their armored vehicle in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials said.
British military officials said Wednesday the 25-ton Warrior vehicle, which has tracks similar to a tank, hasn't been recovered since the blast Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported. Because nothing has been found, the fatalities haven't been confirmed but military officials said the troops families were notified of the presumed deaths.
The British Defense Ministry said the troops were on a security patrol when their vehicle was struck, the BBC reported.
Daud Ahmadi, a Helmand provincial spokesman, told the Times the explosion occurred in Helmand's Gereshk district. Both Ahmadi and NATO said the blast was from an improvised explosive device.
NATO also confirmed the presumed six deaths but did not specify the service members' nationality.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said it was a "desperately sad day for our country."
"It is a reminder of the huge price that we are paying for the work we are doing in Afghanistan and the sacrifice that our troops have made and continue to make," he said.
British troops are to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said the incident "brings home to us the dangers that are faced on a daily basis by the men and women of our armed forces deployed in Afghanistan."
