British bomb expert dies in Iraqi ambush
A British bomb disposal expert has been killed during an ambush in northern Iraq.
Ian Rimell, 53 from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, died when the vehicle, marked with the distinctive MAG logo, they were travelling in was attacked on a main road near the city of Mosul. His local bodyguard, Salem Ahmed Mohammed, was seriously injured in the roadside attack
Mr Rimell worked for British-based charity Mines Advisory Group (MAG). The group had decided to remain in northern Iraq despite the decision by several aid agencies in the region to remove personnel over fears about safety.
MAG has maintained a continuous presence in Iraq for the last decade, with some 700 staff stationed in the north of the Gulf state.
The married father-of-three had spent the day clearing a scrapheap filled with ammunition and hidden explosives and delivering the scrap metal to a local school for rebuilding work.
MAG’s executive director, Lou McGrath, said colleagues were “devastated” by Mr Rimell’s death. He described the explosives expert as “a dedicated humanitarian who worked so well with the local people.”
He added, “Our thoughts are with the families and our prayers are with Salem as he remains in a serious condition. We are further reviewing our areas of operation in Iraq following this attack.”
Mr Rimell joined MAG in January last year following a distinguished carer in mine and bomb disposal and is a holder of the British Empire Medal.
