Dutch soldier dies during manoeuvres in Germany

A Dutch soldier has died in an accident involving a combat vehicle during military manoeuvres in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, reported dpa.

An army spokeswoman confirmed on Thursday that the 21-year-old was killed during the manoeuvres in the Altmark region on Wednesday night.

The German police are investigating the accident and are being assisted by the German military police and the Dutch gendarmerie, the spokeswoman added. The independent Dutch disaster investigation board OVV has also sent two experts to Germany for the investigation.

The large-scale German-Dutch combat exercise has been temporarily suspended.

Germany's Bundeswehr says around 3,500 soldiers were involved in the exercise near Gardelegen. The manoeuvres are part of NATO's attempts to strengthen its defence capability on its eastern flank.

The soldiers of the Dutch brigade have been practising fighting over water and crossing rivers and lakes.

The Dutch troops have also been conducting exercises at the Bundeswehr's combat training centre at the specially constructed town of Schnöggersburg, where urban combat in densely built-up areas is simulated.