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| Probe as four die in Basra blast | Probe as four die in Basra blast |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Weapons experts are to analyse in "minute detail" an improvised bomb attack on a patrol boat that killed four UK servicemen in southern Iraq. | |
| Another three servicemen were seriously hurt in the attack on the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra on Sunday. | |
| The dead men were from the Royal Signals, the Intelligence Corps and two from 45 Commando Royal Marines. | |
| One of the injured's condition has improved significantly but the other two remain in a very serious condition. | |
| Captain Tane Dunlop said an inquiry involving a wide information-gathering network was already under way. | Captain Tane Dunlop said an inquiry involving a wide information-gathering network was already under way. |
| It would try to find out how insurgents were able to target the boat, he said. | It would try to find out how insurgents were able to target the boat, he said. |
| The three injured troops have been taken to a field hospital where they are undergoing surgery. | The three injured troops have been taken to a field hospital where they are undergoing surgery. |
| At least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, Capt Dunlop said. | At least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, Capt Dunlop said. |
| It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat Capt Tane Dunlop Q&A: UK troops and boat attack | It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat Capt Tane Dunlop Q&A: UK troops and boat attack |
| The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel. | The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel. |
| They have been patrolling the waterway, which borders Iran, since 2003. | They have been patrolling the 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. |
| 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." |
| 'Stark reminder' | 'Stark reminder' |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| The BBC's David Loyn in the Iraqi capital Baghdad the incident was a new development in the attacks that were being made. | |
| "We've seen this year increasing sophistication in the bombs aimed at the so-called snatch Land Rovers - lightly armoured Land Rovers - and there have been many casualties there, and now an extension of the war to the water, to the Shatt al-Arab waterway, which is an international border between Iraq and Iran, and also a key trade route," he said. | |
| "If insurgents are able to operate there on the waterway against the military then that does open a new front. | |
| "There was an attack a couple of years ago further out into the Gulf on an American boarding party - that was believed to be a suicide bomber - three sailors were killed then, but this is the first attack on the waterway itself." | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| "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." |
| 'Deeply grateful' | 'Deeply grateful' |
| 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. |
| A total of 125 British troops have now died in Iraq, 95 from hostile action. | A total of 125 British troops have now died in Iraq, 95 from hostile action. |