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Basra blast pair Arbroath-based | Basra blast pair Arbroath-based |
(30 minutes later) | |
Two of four servicemen killed in Basra were from 45 Commando, based in Arbroath, the Ministry of Defence has announced. | |
Three other British troops were injured in the improvised bomb attack on a patrol boat on Sunday. | Three other British troops were injured in the improvised bomb attack on a patrol boat on Sunday. |
The condition of one serviceman has improved significantly, though two remain very seriously ill. | |
The vessel was hit by an improvised bomb while on a routine operation on the Shatt al-Arab waterway. | The vessel was hit by an improvised bomb while on a routine operation on the Shatt al-Arab waterway. |
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. |
Patrols have been taking place along the waterway, which borders Iran, since 2003. | Patrols have been taking place along the waterway, which borders Iran, since 2003. |
' Unusual attack' | |
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. |
The Foreign Office said the families of those killed had been informed. Further details are expected to be released on Tuesday. | The Foreign Office said the families of those killed had been informed. Further details are expected to be released on Tuesday. |
British Army spokesman Captain Tane Dunlop told BBC Radio Scotland that the attack was a terrible event. | British Army spokesman Captain Tane Dunlop told BBC Radio Scotland that the attack was a terrible event. |
He added: "It is an unusual attack, this waterway is a busy thoroughfare for the people of Basra, with commercial activity and also some smuggling activity across it. | He added: "It is an unusual attack, this waterway is a busy thoroughfare for the people of Basra, with commercial activity and also some smuggling activity across it. |
"The troops involved in this incident were on routine tasks." | "The troops involved in this incident were on routine tasks." |
Cpt Dunlop added that the attack on the patrol boat may show a change in approach by insurgents based in Basra who may be finding that attacks against troops have proved less successful elsewhere. | Cpt Dunlop added that the attack on the patrol boat may show a change in approach by insurgents based in Basra who may be finding that attacks against troops have proved less successful elsewhere. |
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. |