The Ministry of Defence today issued a 48-hour global ban on the firing of tank shells after two soldiers were killed and two more injured when ammunition exploded.

A round exploded in a Challenger 2 tank's turret which caused the vehicle to explode at the Castlemartin Ranges in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Mr Ellwood said tonight: 'It is with great sorrow I can confirm the death of a second soldier from the Royal Tank Regiment following yesterday's incident at Castlemartin Ranges.'

The tragic incident on Wednesday afternoon happened during a 'live-fire' exercise at the only UK Army range used for direct-fire live gunnery assignments.

The first deceased soldier, who has not been named, was airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea but later died. At least two others were injured but their condition was not revealed by the Ministry of Defence.

Neither of the dead have been named but it is understood both are in their twenties and based in Tidworth, Wiltshire.

It is believed a round exploded in a Challenger 2 tank's turret causing the vehicle to explode (picture of Challenger 2 tanks one week before the incident)

Video footage of a Challenger 2 tank firing during a live-fire exercise on June 11 - less than a week before the tragic incident - was posted on the The Royal Tank Regiment's Facebook page

On June 11 they uploaded the video and used the caption: 'FIRING! Here a crew from BADGER take on a tank target in Castlemartin. FEAR NAUGHT'

Just days before the tragic incident, The Regiment posted a video to its Facebook page showing a Challenger 2 tank taking part in an exercise.

It could be seen firing and the post on June 11 read: 'FIRING! Here a crew from BADGER take on a tank target in Castlemartin. FEAR NAUGHT.'

On June 7, the Regiment, whose motto is 'fear naught', posted on its Facebook page saying the Badger squadron had arrived in Castlemartin for its annual firing period.

The post added: 'Stay tuned for more photos and videos of the awesome firepower of the Challenger 2.'

Tobias Ellwood, Minister for People and Veterans, today said the man died from his injuries sustained after the incident.

He said: 'It is with deep sadness that I can confirm the death of a soldier from the Royal Tank Regiment who dies as a result of injuries sustained in an incident at Castlemartin Ranges.

'His next of kin were by his bedside and we will respecting their privacy before further details are released.

'Three other soldiers have also been wounded and our thoughts remain with the friends and families of all those involved.

'The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and a full investigation is underway to understand the details of this tragic incident.'

Castlemartin - a 5,900 acre site operating since 1938 - was due to carry out training from Monday to Friday.

The Welsh Ambulance Service and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene just before 3.30pm.

A firing notice for Castlemartin on the Government's website suggests live firing was due to take place on the range from Monday to Friday.

A notice said the road from Bosherston to St Govan's Chapel and the footpath from St Govan's Head to Broadhaven would be closed every day.

The notice adds that night firing was due to take place on Tuesday and Thursday.

This is the tank ammunition believed to have been used in training exercises at the base in Wales

It is believed a round exploded in a Challenger 2 tank's turret (pictured) causing the vehicle to explode

This is the type of tank used for training drills at the base at Castlemartin Ranges in Pembrokeshire

A police spokesman said: 'Dyfed-Powys Police were called to an incident at MOD Royal Armoured Corps range in Castlemartin range at 3.30pm today.

'This is being investigated and a further update will be provided when appropriate.'

In 2012, Ranger Michael Maguire, 21, who was described as 'one of our very best', died during a training exercise at Castlemartin.

A inquest into Mr Maguire's death heard he was hit in the temple by a single machine gun bullet fired by a fellow soldier during a training exercise and that the fatal bullet was fired 0.6 miles away inland towards another group of recruits on a live fire exercise.

All live fire should have been safely aimed out to sea, the inquest heard.

The inquest jury ruled Ranger Maguire, who was a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, had been unlawfully killed.

According to the Visit Pembrokeshire website, a large part of the Castlemartin peninsula was taken over by the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) tank range in the late 1930s and further developed during the Cold War period.

Three people have also been injured after the incident at a military base in Pembrokeshire

The Welsh Ambulance Service and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene just before 3.30pm