An Australian aid worker who helped clear landmines in Ukraine has been killed in the war-ravaged country.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of the man, a former Australian soldier, following media reports the charity worker died after an an improved explosive device went off in a building.
"I can confirm he wasn't a participant in the conflict, he was volunteering with a humanitarian organisation,” Mr Albanese said, adding the government was providing support for the man's family, but did not provide any specifics.
"Out of respect for the family's privacy and consistent with our obligations, there is a limit to what we can say publicly at this time.”
Mr Albanese urged Australians to not travel to war-torn Ukraine.
"The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances,” he said.
The fatal incident occurred in the Ukrainian city of Izyum, according to a report by the ABC, which cited an unidentified military source in Ukraine. The public broadcaster said the details of the death were yet to be formally verified.
The ABC reported the man’s name as Nick Parsons, known as "Desmond" by his co-workers. According to the media outlet, the Australian man was working for the US-based Prevail Together.
The charity, which supports Ukrainian government agencies with landmine clearance, trauma medical care and humanitarian assistance, said in a statement that some team members were severely injured in an incident on 6 May.
"We are still gathering information and working alongside military and police officials to uncover the details," the organisation said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was providing the Australian man’s family with consular support.
"We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment," a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.
Prevail Together also confirmed the death of its founder and chairman Christopher Garrett in the fatal incident in a statement last week.
Shaun Pinner, spokesman and ambassador for Prevail, told the PA news agency: “Chris was a talisman. He was driven by the injustices Russia are doing here.
“He brought mine awareness to children through to adults and had knowledge which will be deeply missed.
“The outpouring has been really emotional. Local communities have all reached out to us. He knew everyone in the military and police as well as all the civilian communities,” he said.
“The amount of lives he has saved, I can’t count them. He’s pulled out tons and tons of mines,” Mr Pinner said.
