Teenager's death prompts British army investigation

The British army has launched a joint investigation with police in Belize after a 14-year-old boy was fatally beaten at a brothel outside Belize City.

David Zabeneh Jr died on Sunday at Tampa General Hospital in Florida, three days after he was allegedly beaten by members of the Royal Gurkha Rifle regiment.

The soldiers were on jungle training exercises in the Central American country.

David, accompanied by three friends, was watching a strip show on Thursday when an altercation broke out with some Gurkhas, one of his friends said.

It was unclear what started the fight.

About 35 British service personnel were at the club when the fight started, said army spokesman David Falke.

David's companions said they were attacked and pelted with beer bottles but managed to flee, while David was thrown to the ground outside the building and allegedly beaten and kicked by several Gurkhas.

The British army flew David and his mother to Tampa for medical treatment on Saturday.

At least 10 British investigators have arrived in Belize to conduct a joint investigation.

Fearing reprisal attacks, all British army personnel and their families have been ordered to stay on base.