AN RAF Hercules has gone down in Iraq with passengers on board.

No-one was killed in the incident which is believed to have happened late last night when the plane was attempting to land.

Two passengers were injured but every passenger and crew member escaped from the plane. It is not known which regiment was flying the plane or who the passengers were. The families of those people involved are being told before details are released.

Troops destroyed the plane after the incident because it was unsalvageable.

An RAF Lyneham spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a Hercules went down in Iraq sometime yesterday after a false landing. There were passengers on board but everyone got off.

"Two people were injured and an investigation has been launched to find out exactly what happened. The Hercules was destroyed by members of our forces soon after the incident. Next of kin will be informed before details of the plane, regiments involved or reasons behind the incident are released."