Danish soldier killed in Iraq

COPENHAGEN, Oct 6 (Reuters) A Danish soldier has died from wounds suffered during fighting in Al Hartha in southern Iraq, the Danish central army command said today.

The soldier was involved in an operation yesterday aimed at stopping rockets being fired into a British and Danish camp.

''During the operation a skirmish broke out and the Danish soldier was seriously injured,'' it said in a statement.

The soldier was evacuated by helicopter to a British field hospital where he died of his injuries.

Last month, a Danish soldier was killed in Iraq after his patrol vehicle hit a bomb by the side of the road south of the city of Basra.

Denmark has about 500 troops serving in Iraq under British command. Five Danish soldiers have died in action in the country since the start of the U.S.-led occupation in 2003.

Reuters SP DB1306