NI soldiers escape Bastion rocket attack

Published Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

A group of Northern Ireland soldiers have escaped injury after a rocket attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, as UTV's Paul Clark reports from the scene.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

The heavily fortified desert base came under fire from Taliban insurgents on Wednesday.

A number of explosions were heard soon after the alarm sounded.

"As we ran, we heard a number of explosions - I can't recall how many. Were they close? They were close enough," Paul Clark, who is in Camp Bastion filming with the Territorial Army Unit, said.

"We arrived at the tent where I was told to put on my body army, including my helmet, and to lie flat on the ground until the all-clear was sounded."

We can confirm that a rocket attack against Camp Bastion took place on 27 February. No significant damage or casualties have been reported as a result of this incident.

Ministry of Defence

Paul confirmed that local reporters - including from the Belfast bases of the Press Association and the British Forces Broadcasting Service - and his own UTV cameraman were all safe.

After the all-clear, troops were ordered to search of unexploded devices and casualties, but a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that no one was injured in the attack.

"The all-clear was sounded some 40 minutes after the explosions," Paul added.

"This is the first attack on Camp Bastion since September of last year, when Prince Harry was here. On that occasion, there was a four-hour fire-fight when militants breached the perimeter fence. Two US Marines were killed."

The latest attack comes as UK forces in Helmand prepare to hand over to the next deploying brigade in what is known as the RIP (relief in place).

© UTV News
Comments Comments
0 Comments
No comments. Be the first to comment.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
On the rocks
Wed 01 May 2013
4x4 in Ballycastle harbour
Thu 02 May 2013