A British bomb disposal expert has reportedly been killed clearing ISIS explosives in Syria where he was working to make homes safe for families.
Former Lance Corporal Chris Harris, 41, was in newly liberated Raqqa when it is believed he triggered a device linked to infra-red sensors.
Mr Harris, of Hockley, Essex, married wife Claudie, 34, in August and yesterday she was too upset to speak.
Former Lance Corporal Chris Harris (pictured) has reportedly been killed clearing ISIS explosives in Syria where he was working to make homes safe for families
Mr Harris, of Hockley, Essex, married wife Claudie (pictured), 34, in August and yesterday she was too upset to speak
It is believed Mr Harris (pictured here with wife Claudie) died after he triggered a device linked to infra-red sensors
Mr Harris spent nearly 20 years in 01 EOD Regt of the Royal Engineers. He served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving in 2014
A source told The Sun: ‘He was well respected and liked by everybody.’
Mr Harris, whose Facebook page has been turned into a memorial, spent nearly 20 years in 01 EOD Regt of the Royal Engineers.
He served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving in 2014.
When he died on Tuesday, he was working as a contractor for engineering firm Tetra Tech on behalf of the US State Department.
Bomb disposal experts, such as those seen in the 2010 Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker, can allegedly earn up to £10,000 a month – but they are ignoring Foreign Office advice by travelling to Syria.
Official guidance states: ‘British nationals in Syria should leave by any practical means.
When he died on Tuesday, he was working as a contractor for engineering firm Tetra Tech on behalf of the US State Department
Bomb disposal experts can allegedly earn up to £10,000 a month – but they are ignoring Foreign Office advice by travelling to Syria
Former British soldier Chris Harris, 41, has reportedly been killed in Syria. Mr Harris was clearing ISIS explosives in the war-torn city of Raqqa
‘The UK has suspended all services of the British Embassy in Damascus and all diplomatic staff have been withdrawn from Syria.
‘The FCO is not able to provide consular services.
‘The situation remains extremely volatile and dangerous. There’s widespread fighting throughout Syria.’
Before fleeing Raqqa, ISIS left boobytraps throughout the war-torn city, leaving disposal experts facing massive dangers.
MailOnline has approached Tetra Tech for comment.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Syria. They say: ‘The situation remains extremely volatile and dangerous. There’s widespread fighting throughout Syria’
Mr Harris’ Facebook page has since been turned into a memorial page
Raqqa was the ‘capital’ of the Islamic State before the terror group was ousted earlier this month. In 2014 a fighter was seen waving the ISIS flag in the streets of the city (pictured)