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Four UK soldiers killed in Iraq Four UK soldiers killed in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
Four British soldiers have been killed by a roadside explosion near Basra, southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Four British soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb near Basra, southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
A civilian translator is also reported to have been killed in the bomb blast, which targeted a Warrior patrol. A civilian translator was also killed in the bomb blast, which targeted a Warrior patrol.
A fifth soldier was also "very seriously injured" and is being treated in the military hospital in Basra.A fifth soldier was also "very seriously injured" and is being treated in the military hospital in Basra.
This latest incident brings the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 140.This latest incident brings the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 140.
An MoD spokeswoman said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm that four British soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in a roadside bomb attack against a Warrior patrol west of Basra. The MoD said next of kin were being informed and no further details would be released until that process was complete.
"Next of kin are being informed and no further details will be released until this process is complete."
Continuing attacksContinuing attacks
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said that according to the MoD, the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday morning when a Warrior armoured personnel carrier was out on patrol. According to the MoD, the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday.
It first came under attack near the centre of town and continued on its way, but on a stretch of highway on the north western outskirts of Basra it was hit by a massive bomb explosion which wrecked the vehicle and left a huge crater. The Warrior armoured personnel carrier first came under attack near the centre of town and continued on its way.
After the bomb explosion British forces in the area came under attack from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades they fired back. However, on a stretch of highway in the Hayaniyah district on the north-western outskirts of Basra it was hit by a massive bomb explosion which wrecked the vehicle and left a huge crater.
The soldiers were all inside the vehicle when they died.
After the bomb explosion British forces in the area came under attack from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, and they fired back.
Iraqi police said the British forces attacked a nearby police checkpoint and detained and disarmed those manning it.Iraqi police said the British forces attacked a nearby police checkpoint and detained and disarmed those manning it.
Our correspondent said the area where the incidents took place is believed to be a hotbed of support for the radical Shi'ite militia lead by the cleric Moqtada Sadr. The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said the area where the incidents took place is believed to be a hotbed of support for the radical Shi'ite militia lead by the cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Further deathsFurther deaths
Two other British soldiers were also killed in Iraq this week, also while on patrol in the Basra area.Two other British soldiers were also killed in Iraq this week, also while on patrol in the Basra area.
Of those soldiers who have died in Iraq, 108 are classed as having been killed after hostile action, while 32 have died from illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or the cause of their death is still unknown.Of those soldiers who have died in Iraq, 108 are classed as having been killed after hostile action, while 32 have died from illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or the cause of their death is still unknown.
Meanwhile, eyewitness reports say a US helicopter has come down in southern Iraq after apparently coming under heavy fire from insurgents. Meanwhile, eyewitness reports say a US helicopter has come down in Iraq after apparently coming under heavy fire from insurgents.
The reports say the helicopter came under attack near Latifiya, 40km (25 miles) south of the capital, Baghdad.The reports say the helicopter came under attack near Latifiya, 40km (25 miles) south of the capital, Baghdad.
No information is currently available on any casualties and the US military says it is investigating.No information is currently available on any casualties and the US military says it is investigating.