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| Probe as four die in Basra blast | Probe as four die in Basra blast |
| (10 minutes 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. | 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 were seriously hurt on the Shatt al-Arab in Basra on Sunday. | |
| Those killed were two Royal Marines from 45 Commando, based at Arbroath in Scotland, and one soldier each from the Royal Signals and Intelligence Corps. | |
| The condition of one of the injured has improved significantly but the other two remain in a very serious condition. | The condition of one of the injured has improved significantly but the other two remain in a very serious condition. |
| Some of the families of those killed have asked for a period of 24 hours before their names are released, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) anticipates the dead will be named on Tuesday morning. | |
| 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 were taken to a field hospital where they underwent surgery. | The three injured troops were taken to a field hospital where they underwent surgery. |
| 'Difficult position' | 'Difficult position' |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne again passed his condolences on BBC Radio 4's Today programme to the families of the British servicemen who were killed. | Defence Secretary Des Browne again passed his condolences on BBC Radio 4's Today programme to the families of the British servicemen who were killed. |
| He said: "My thoughts are with them and also with their colleagues who will continue I'm sure to show the professionalism that they've shown throughout the time that they've been there. | He said: "My thoughts are with them and also with their colleagues who will continue I'm sure to show the professionalism that they've shown throughout the time that they've been there. |
| 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 |
| "This terrible incident yesterday just shows the nature of the challenges that we put to these people day in, day out, and have done for some time now and I accept that's a very difficult position for them." | "This terrible incident yesterday just shows the nature of the challenges that we put to these people day in, day out, and have done for some time now and I accept that's a very difficult position for them." |
| 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 BBC's David Loyn, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, said the attack was an extension of the war to water. | The BBC's David Loyn, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, said the attack was an extension of the war to water. |
| 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 |
| "If insurgents are able to operate on the waterway against the military then that does open a new front," he said. | "If insurgents are able to operate on the waterway against the military then that does open a new front," he said. |
| He added that there was an attack a couple of years ago on American forces further out in the Gulf but this was the first such incident on the waterway itself. | He added that there was an attack a couple of years ago on American forces further out in the Gulf but this was the first such incident 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. |
| 'Deeply grateful' | 'Deeply grateful' |
| 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. |
| 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. |