A Dutch soldier is critically ill in hospital in Iraq after being shot in the chest during weapons maintenance.

The military police (Marechaussee) are investigating what happened during the incident at the Erbil military airbase in northern Iraq, where around 12 Dutch personnel are stationed.

The man was serving with the 11th Air Assault Brigade, who are part of the Dutch unit guarding the base.

The ministry of defence said he was in a critical condition and his family had been informed, but gave no further details.

Onno EIchelsheim, head of the armed forces, said his thoughts were the soldier, his family and colleagues. ‘I am following the situation closely,’ he told NOS.