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UK troops die in Iraq boat blast | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Four British servicemen have been killed in an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq. | |
Another three were seriously injured 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. |
Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute. It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125. | Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute. It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125. |
'Unusual' | 'Unusual' |
Capt Dunlop said the injured servicemen had been taken to a field hospital where they were undergoing surgery. | Capt Dunlop said the injured servicemen had been taken to a field hospital where they were undergoing surgery. |
At least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said. | At least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said. |
An investigation was under way involving weapons specialists and an extensive information-gathering network across the city, he added. | An investigation was under way involving weapons specialists and an extensive information-gathering network across the city, he added. |
It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat Capt Tane Dunlop href="/1/hi/uk/6142054.stm" class="">Q&A: River transport in Basra | |
The Foreign Office said the families of those killed were being informed and it was too early to release details of the servicemen's units or ranks. | The Foreign Office said the families of those killed were being informed and it was too early to release details of the servicemen's units or ranks. |
The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) on Sunday and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat. | The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) on Sunday and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat. |
On the same day, two suicide bombers killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police said. | On the same day, two suicide bombers killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police said. |
And the US military said three American soldiers were killed in combat in western Al-Anbar province. | And the US military said three American soldiers were killed in combat in western Al-Anbar province. |
British military personnel have been patrolling the Shatt al-Arab waterway, which borders Iran, since 2003. | British military personnel have been patrolling the Shatt al-Arab waterway, which borders Iran, since 2003. |
It was thought to be a safer way to travel between bases than going by road. | It was thought to be a safer way to travel between bases than going by road. |
Captain 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. | Captain 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." |
Stark reminder | Stark reminder |
The deaths came on the same weekend that troops in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq paid their respects to lost colleagues, to mark Remembrance Day. | The deaths came on the same weekend that troops in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq paid their respects to lost colleagues, to mark Remembrance Day. |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said in a statement that his thoughts were with the families of those killed. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said in a statement that his thoughts were with the families of those killed. |
"Today at the Cenotaph and across the country, we remembered those brave souls that have served this nation across the years," he said. | "Today at the Cenotaph and across the country, we remembered those brave souls that have served this nation across the years," he said. |
Basra, Iraq's second city, is located on the Shatt Al-Arab waterway | Basra, Iraq's second city, is located on the Shatt Al-Arab waterway |
"That dedication is still evident and the events today in Iraq are a stark reminder of the perils they face." | "That dedication is still evident and the events today in Iraq are a stark reminder of the perils they face." |
The Iraqi ambassador to the UK, Salah Al-Shaikhly, offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured. | The Iraqi ambassador to the UK, Salah Al-Shaikhly, offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured. |
He added that the role of British forces in Iraq was "critical", saying: "Our message to the people of Britain is that we are deeply grateful for their effort to help us build our young democracy. | He added that the role of British forces in Iraq was "critical", saying: "Our message to the people of Britain is that we are deeply grateful for their effort to help us build our young democracy. |
"We Iraqis share with them the sorrow for the sacrifices we are making daily at the hands of perpetrators of terror and violence." | "We Iraqis share with them the sorrow for the sacrifices we are making daily at the hands of perpetrators of terror and violence." |
Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed their sympathy to the families of those killed. | Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed their sympathy to the families of those killed. |