22 Apr 2005

Two Fijians killed in insurgent attack in Iraq

2:09 pm on 22 April 2005

Two Fijian security guards have been killed in an insurgent attack in Iraq.

Radio Fiji reports that they died when a helicopter they were travelling in was shot down by a missile north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad early this morning.

The victims have been identified as Waisea Atalifo and Timoci Lalaqila.

The two were employed as bodyguards by Toronto-based Skylink Aviation, although they first went to Iraq to work for the British company, Global Risk Strategies.

Global Risks' Fiji director, Col Sakiusa Raivoce, says he will issue a statement after informing the relatives.

Six American contractors and the three Bulgarian crew of the MI-8 helicopter were also killed in the crash following the missile attack.

The US embassy in Fiji has issued a statement saying the United States deeply values and appreciates the support that Fiji and so many of its citizens are providing to international efforts to bring peace, freedom and democracy to the people of Iraq.