A Dutch soldier has been killed in Afghanistan after stepping on a landmine, the defence ministry confirmed on Friday. The death means six Dutch soldiers have now died while serving with the UN mission, five were killed in accidents and one committed suicide.

Meanwhile, the ministry has announced that soldiers sent to Crete to reacclimatise after serving in Afghanistan will only get two beers on the house, rather than unlimited alcohol.
Earlier this month it emerged that soldiers had been involved in several alcohol-induced brawls. Commander Dick Berlijn stressed that the reacclimatisation programme, which is aimed at easing soldiers back into normal life after months of alcohol-free service in Uruzgan, will continue.