Probe into Australian soldier's death in Iraq begins

Xinhua
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Canberra (Australia):
The Australian Defense Force on Saturday started the investigation into the death of an Australian soldier serving in Iraq who accidentally killed himself while cleaning his gun Friday.
The soldier is the first Australian soldier who died in Iraq.
Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said the tragedy happened when the soldier was simply cleaning his gun.
"For some unexplained reason the firearm discharged and the bullet unfortunately entered the soldier's head," he was quoted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio as saying.
He said there is no evidence of anything other than an accident at this stage.
The soldier had been part of the Sydney-based third battalion and had been in Baghdad since March with the security detachment of 110 troops protecting the Australian embassy in Baghdad.
The Chief of Army, Peter Leahy, said the man received one gunshot wound, was not in combat and no one else was injured.
Apr 22, 2006