LONDON, March 31 (KUNA) — Two British soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said Monday.

The two members of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, were on a routine patrol yesterday when they were hit by what is thought to be a roadside bomb. Their death in Helmand province brings the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 91.

The next of kin have been informed of their death. All but two of the 91 deaths have been in the last two years.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said one of the soldiers was pronounced dead on arrival at Camp Bastion and the second died shortly afterwards. Roadside and suicide bombs have been used increasingly often in Afghanistan. There are more than 7,000 British troops serving in Afghanistan, the majority in troubled southern Helmand province.