Second British Army soldier dies after 'shell explodes inside tank' during "live fire exercise"

The soldiers from the Royal Tank Regiment - the oldest tank force in the world - died during the training at Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire



A second soldier has died from an incident which injured two others when a shell exploded in their tank during a "live fire" exercise in Wales.

The soldiers from the Royal Tank Regiment - the oldest tank force in the world - died during the training at Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire.

It is believed that a round exploded in a tank's turret causing the vehicle to explode at the only UK Army range used for direct-fire live gunnery exercises.

The first confirmed fatality, announced this morning, had been airlifted to hospital but later died - and is yet to be been named.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood confirmed the second death tonight.

Challenger is unique in using a gun so old it still uses a separate bagged charge to fire a projectile. I suspect it was this which detonated rather than a shell which is sealed? Such accidents were common with naval guns which is why sailors wore asbestos suits. There are no plans to replace Challenger before 2035.