British soldier drowns after falling into a river on the way home from a night out with friends while stationed in Estonia
- Israel Delanimati, 24, fell into the Emajogi River in the southern city of Tartu
- He was last seen at 3.40am on Sunday and his body was found that afternoon
A British soldier has drowned after falling into a river in Estonia on the way back from a night out with friends.
Israel Delanimati, 24, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, is believed to have fallen into the Emajogi River in the city of Tartu at the weekend.
His friends raised concerns when he did not return to their hotel before midday on Sunday and his body was later recovered that afternoon.
CCTV footage captured Delanimati, originally from Fiji, walking along the river at 3.40am on Sunday, according to local reports.
Witnesses reportedly tried to save him after he fell into the river.
Israel Delanimati (pictured), 24, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, is believed to have fallen into the Emajogi River in the southern city of Tartu at the weekend.
British Troops taking part in Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia
Delanimati, who is originally from Fiji, recently broke up with his long-term girlfriend, it is understood.
His family have been informed and his funeral is expected to take place in Fiji.
More than 1,500 UK troops were sent to Estonia last month to train alongside 14,000 personnel from 11 NATO alliance countries.
This includes troops from Estonia, Canada, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland and the United States.
They are all taking part in ‘Exercise Spring Storm’, an annual military exercise involving the UK-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup.
Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers, fighter jets, helicopters and patrol, minesweeping and landing vessels all take part in the two-week exercise, with various drills taking place across Estonian terrain.
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