Explosion killed bomb disposal experts

The British and Australian bomb disposal experts were working for Norwegian People’s Aid – an NGO which deals with clearing explosives left from the Second World War.

Unfortunately, two Bomb disposal workers – one from the UK and one from Australia – have died after an explosion in the Solomon Islands.

Stephen “Luke” Atkinson and his Australian colleague Trent Lee worked for Norwegian People’s Aid, which helps remove undetonated ordinance left over from the Pacific front of the Second World War.

It has not been made clear if the pair were trying to defuse a device when they died on Sunday evening in the city of Honiara.

Location of incident at Solomon Island

Two men – one from the UK and one from Australia – have died in an explosion in the Solomon Islands according to their employer.

According to the NPA, Mr Atkinson was a dual UK and New Zealand citizen.

NPA’s Secretary General Henriette Westhrin said: “We are devastated by what has happened, and for the loss of two good colleagues. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their families, relatives and staff.”

The NPA – which has 1,850 “deminers” working across 19 countries – has suspended operations in the region while the investigation takes place.

Mr Atkinson and Mr Lee had been working on this project to create a database on the leftover explosives which were left on the islands after Second World War.

A statement from NPA added: “This is a tragic accident. So far, we know that there has been an explosion with fatal consequences.

“Our main priority now is to offer assistance to relatives and colleagues, and to clarify what has happened.” NPA said.

“NPA’s activities on Solomon Islands have temporarily been put on hold, and NPA is working together with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force which is investigating the incident.

“The ghastly accident took place on the Solomon Islands, where NPA is assisting the government in developing a centralised database that gives an overview of the extensive amounts of explosive remnants of war contamination dating from the Second World War.”