While Chapman's is the first American military death from hostile fire, 10 other Americans have died since the campaign began in Afghanistan, including a CIA operative killed in a Taliban prison uprising and three Green Berets killed in an accidental bombing by U.S. planes.

CNN: Killed soldier devoted to family, country, parents say

The MoD said "initial reports" suggested the latest death "may have resulted from a friendly fire incident".

BBC: New British 'friendly fire' death in Afghanistan probed

Two weeks ago the hospital came under fire from health minister and doctor Dan Poulter over its high death rates, and it is being investigated in the wake of the public inquiry into failings at Stafford Hospital.

BBC: Essex

Enforcement of fire-safety rules in Russia is lax, contributing to a death rate from fires that is far higher than in many Western countries.

WSJ: Russian Hospital Fire Kills 38