- Soldier was stabbed during a fight between four off-duty soldiers and three British holidaymakers
- One of the tourists alleged to have knifed the teenage soldier in the chest with a switchblade
- Fight broke out in a part of Ayia Napa that is off-limits to soldiers due to past trouble in the area
- The 19-year-old served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
- The three British holidaymakers have been detained for questioning
A 19-year-old British soldier stationed
in Cyprus was stabbed to death during a fight with tourists in a
nightclub, police on the island have said.
The teenager died after being knifed in
the chest during a brawl between four off-duty soldiers and three
British holidaymakers in a club in Ayia Napa in the early hours of this
morning, police spokesman Georgios Economou said.
The three tourists have been detained
for questioning following the incident, which occurred in a part of the
tourist hot spot declared off-limits to British soldiers because of
trouble in the past.
One of the tourists is alleged to have pulled out a switchblade and stabbed the 19-year-old during the fight.
The soldier, who served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was dead on arrival at a local hospital.
His name has not been released.
Two police sources said the three suspects held for questioning were British citizens.
A spokeswoman for the British bases in
Cyprus confirmed there had been a stabbing incident involving a British
soldier who was killed.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said
today: 'It is with great sadness that the MOD must confirm that a
soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has died in
an incident in Cyprus.
'An investigation is being conducted by Cyprus police and it would be inappropriate to comment any further.
'The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them,' the spokesman added.
The victim was serving in his regiment
at Dhekelia, one of two bases Britain has maintained on the east
Mediterranean island, a former colony, since independence in 1960.
The teenager was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (file photo)
The soldier was stabbed during a fight in a nightclub in Ayia Napa, Cyprus
No comments:
Post a Comment