Mine blast kills 15 soldiers in Sri Lanka
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-27 15:56

An anti-personnel mine exploded, hitting a truck carrying 15 Sri Lankan soldiers on Tuesday in the island's northern Jaffna peninsula, the Defense Ministry said.

"Initial report says that the truck has taken a direct hit, but we don't know the extent of casualties or damage," military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said.

The soldiers were on leave and en route to the airport when the Claymore exploded.

Violence has also escalated in Sri Lanka's ethnic Tamil-majority north and parts of the east in recent months.

At least 33 government soldiers and have died in violence blamed on the rebels since December 4.