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Four UK servicemen dead in Iraq Four UK servicemen dead in Iraq
(20 minutes later)
Four British servicemen have been killed following an attack on a Multi National Forces boat patrol in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.Four British servicemen have been killed following an attack on a Multi National Forces boat patrol in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.
A further three suffered serious injuries in the attack which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt Al Arab waterway in Basra.A further three suffered serious injuries in the attack which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt Al Arab waterway in Basra.
The boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device", said Captain Tane Dunlop, speaking from Basra.The boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device", said Captain Tane Dunlop, speaking from Basra.
It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125.It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125.
'Unusual''Unusual'
Capt Dunlop said: "The use of improvised explosive devices is very common in Iraq, more often further north but there have been a number of such attacks in the Basra province and Basra city.Capt Dunlop said: "The use of improvised explosive devices is very common in Iraq, more often further north but there have been a number of such attacks in the Basra province and Basra city.
"It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat, but they're usually used against any form of multi-national forces or personnel.""It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat, but they're usually used against any form of multi-national forces or personnel."
He said the injured servicemen had been evacuated to a field hospital where they were receiving medical attention.He said the injured servicemen had been evacuated to a field hospital where they were receiving medical attention.
Among the injured, at least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said.Among the injured, at least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said.
The men were thought to be in a combat support boat
There were no further details on the servicemen's units or ranks.There were no further details on the servicemen's units or ranks.
BBC correspondent David Loyn, speaking from Baghdad, said: "It was quite an extraordinary attack.
"The boat was on the water with at least seven military personnel on board. We don't know if they were marines or soldiers."
This is the first time an attack of this sort has been successful, or maybe even tried, he said.
It comes on the same weekend when troops in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq paid their respects to lost colleagues, to mark Remembrance Day.
In a separate incident, the US military says three American soldiers have been killed in combat while operating in western Al-Anbar province.In a separate incident, the US military says three American soldiers have been killed in combat while operating in western Al-Anbar province.
And two suicide bombers have killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police say.And two suicide bombers have killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police say.