The Minister of Defence, Carme Chacón, arrived this morning at the Herat Forward Support Base to get first-hand information about the attack that killed Private John Felipe Romero Meneses and injured six other Spanish soldiers. As soon as she landed, the Minister visited the Role 2 Hospital, where the injured were admitted after having been transferred by helicopter from the site of the explosion which occurred in the outskirts of Sang Atesh, in the Afghan province of Badghis.
Three of the injured will travel to Spain today with Ms Chacón. They are Lieutenant Jordi Francesc Rubio Carceller, Private Josue Alcalá Silvera and Private Daniel Ospina Quintana. A further three soldiers who were also in the armoured car that was attacked and who suffered minor injuries have voluntarily decided to remain in Afghanistan with their colleagues.
The Minister, accompanied by the Joint Chief of Staff (JEMAD), José Julio Rodríguez, and the Army Chief of Staff (JEME), José Fulgencio Coll, attended prayers for the deceased, officiated by the Base Chaplain. Private Romero Meneses was posthumously awarded the Military Merit Cross with red ribbon, and the NATO medal for non-article 5 operations.
The Defence chief then addressed the Spanish troops stationed in Hert to thank them on behalf of Spanish society for their efforts towards helping "the world to be a safer place, a more habitable place for our children". Ms Chacón highlighted the "courage and commitment" of the more than 3,000 troops that Spain has stationed in four continents.
Carme Chacón said that "In spite of the overwhelming grief we feel today, it is important that we should remember that our presence here is necessary, as is that of the 80,000 soldiers from 43 countries who are here with us. We have to continue our mission until Afghanistan is a country capable of coping on its own and does not represent a threat to the rest of the world, or for our society".
Funeral in Barcelona
It is anticipated that the Spanish Armed Forces aircraft bringing Private Romero Meneses' body back will land at El Prat airport at about 10 o'clock tonight. The funeral for the deceased soldier will be held tomorrow morning in the 'El Bruch' barracks in Barcelona.
Lieutenant Rubio and Private Ospina are recovering well, and although still in a serious condition, their injuries are not life-threatening. Private Alcalá was slightly injured. All three will be admitted to a hospital in Barcelona.