Pictured: Rupert Hamer

British journalist Rupert Hamer, who writes for the Daily Mirror, and a yet-unnamed United States Marine have been killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand province in Afghanistan. An Afghan soldier also lost his life in the attack.

Update: They were traveling in a vehicle near Nawa, Helmand at the time of the attack. A photojournalist for the same publication, Philip Coburn, is in serious but stable condition. Four other U.S. Marines were seriously wounded.

Hamer has served as defense correspondent for the Daily Mirror since 2004, traveling to the world’s most dangerous corners in pursuit of the story.

He becomes the 20th journalist to be killed in Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.

Statement: The parent company of the Daily Mirror has released a statement. Understandably, it’s a long one:

Two Sunday Mirror journalists involved in an incident in Afghanistan
January 10, 2010

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that two Sunday Mirror journalists were involved in an incident in Afghanistan on Saturday morning.

The paper’s defence correspondent Rupert Hamer, 39, was killed. Photographer Phil Coburn, 43, was seriously injured.

The incident occurred while the pair were on patrol with US Marine Corps north west of NAWA. The vehicle they were travelling was hit by an IED. They had flown to the region on New Year’s Eve and were embedded with the American military. The trip was to have lasted for a month.

Rupert was married to Helen with three children aged 6, 5 and 19 months. He had been a Sunday Mirror journalist for 12 years and had regularly reported from Afghanistan and Iraq during the ongoing conflict.

Phil, 43, has been with the paper for eight years and worked with Rupert in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a highly respected photo journalist who has produced brilliant work for the paper from all over the world including Rwanda and Hurricane Katrina.

Everyone at the Sunday Mirror and Mirror Group sends their deepest sympathies to Rupert’s wife, his father Nick and family.

And we wish Phil a speedy recovery and send our warmest wishes to his family.

Sunday Mirror Editor Tina Weaver said: “Rupert believed that the only place to report a war was from the front line, and as our defence correspondent he wanted to be embedded with the US marines at the start of their vital surge into Southern Afghanistan.

He left on New Year’s Eve with photographer Phil Coburn, determined to be there from the start.

He was a seasoned, highly-regarded and brave journalist who had reported from both Iraq and Afghanistan on many occasions. It was his fifth trip to Afghanistan, and he had forged friendships with a number of the soldiers serving out there.

One of his last acts was to organise a special Christmas newspaper produced solely for the troops packed with messages from loved ones which was flown out by the RAF three weeks ago.

He was a fine, fearless, and skilled writer who joined the paper 12 years ago. Affectionately known as Corporal Hamer in the office, he was a gregarious figure, a wonderful friend who was hugely popular with his colleagues.

Above all he was devoted to his wife Helen and their three young children. Our thoughts and condolences are with Helen, his father Nick, who he was so close to, and the children he was so proud of.”

“Phil is a veteran of conflicts in Iraq, Rwanda and Afghanistan who has been with the Sunday Mirror for eight years.

He is a consummate all round journalist and brilliant photographer whose pictures grace any newspaper.

He and Rupert made a dedicated team, working together around the world, sacrificing personal comfort countless times to record the reality of wars.

We wish Phil a speedy recovery and send our warmest wishes to his partner and family.”

My condolences to Mr. Hamer’s wife, children, family, and friends.