British soldier stationed in Cyprus stabbed to death in nightclub altercation

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus police say a 19-year-old British soldier stationed in Cyprus was stabbed to death during a fight with British tourists inside a nightclub in the island's vacation hotspot of Ayia Napa.

Police spokesman Georgios Economou said four off-duty soldiers fought with three tourists early on Sunday when one of the tourists allegedly drew a switchblade and stabbed the teenage soldier.

Connie Pierce, a British military spokeswoman, said the incident happened in a part of Ayia Napa that's off limits for British soldiers because of past trouble there. The dead soldier served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, but his name wasn't released because his family hasn't been notified.

Britain retained two military bases on the island after the former British colony gained independence in 1960.