LONDON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen British armed personnel were killed in an aircraft crash in southern Afghanistan, the Department of Defence announced on Saturday.

    The department confirmed that twelve Royal Air Force personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were among those who died in the aircraft crash in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar earlier Saturday.

    The aircraft belonged to the NATO-led international force against the Taleban militants in Afghanistan.

    Des Browne, Defence Secretary, said the deaths in Afghanistan were "dreadful and shocking".

    The crash does not appear to be the result of a hostile action, but "a terrible accident", he said. Enditem