6 UK Troops Believed Killed in Afghan Blast

Six British soldiers were believed killed after an explosion hit their armored vehicle in southwestern Afghanistan, Britain's Ministry of Defense said today. If confirmed, it would be the biggest loss of life for British forces in the country since a plane crash in 2006 killed 14. The soldiers were on patrol in Helmand province at the time of the blast last night, and a spokesperson for the British Task Force said they were missing and believed killed. In London, PM David Cameron called it "a desperately sad day for our country."

If the latest deaths are confirmed, more than 400 British forces personnel or MOD civilians will have died while serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001. Until today, Britain had lost 398 troops, more troops than any other country except for the United States. (More British troops stories.)