An American citizen, who was working for a Swiss non-governmental demining organization, lost his life during an explosion during an operation in northern Iraq.
The cause for the explosion is being investigated. Iraqi police say the accident occurred about 60 kilometers south of the city of Mosul, German news agency DPA reported.
The Islamic State group took control over Mosul in the summer of 2014. The city was declared liberated by the Iraqi government in July 2017 after a costly battle.
The jihadists planted thousands of mines in Syria and Iraq, complicating the return of civilians to areas formerly held by IS.
The Swiss demining group has been active in Iraq since 2016. It has deactivated more than 10,000 explosive devices.
The U.S. citizen is the second employee lost in the line of duty. An Australian working for FSD was killed during a demining operation in Iraq three years ago.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
What to do with the children of Islamic State?
This content was published on
Even in Geneva, the world humanitarian capital, there is unease, and a certain reluctance, to say too much about the situation in Syria's Al Hol camp.
This content was published on
The Swiss government has rejected calls to actively repatriate Islamic militants with Swiss nationality from Syria or Iraq.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.