Body of Australia soldier killed in Iraq left behind

SYDNEY, Apr 27 (Reuters) The body of the first Australian soldier killed in Iraq, which was due to arrive in Melbourne today, has been accidently left behind in Kuwait after the wrong casket was loaded on to the plane.

Private Jake Kovco died in Iraq last week after accidentally shooting himself while cleaning his weapon.

''Imagine losing your husband under circumstances where he was proudly serving his country and then have the incorrect dispatch of a casket to your country,'' Defence Minister Brendan Nelson told journalists.

''I am personally very angry about it, I am very disappointed, the inquiry, the investigation will get to the bottom of it.'' REUTERS AD RAI0533