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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iraq bomb kills three UK soldiers | Iraq bomb kills three UK soldiers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Three British soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. | Three British soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. |
| A military spokesman said that a fourth soldier was seriously injured and next of kin were being informed. | A military spokesman said that a fourth soldier was seriously injured and next of kin were being informed. |
| Major David Gell said the explosion happened at about 0100 local time on Thursday in the Al Antahiya district in the south-east of Basra. | Major David Gell said the explosion happened at about 0100 local time on Thursday in the Al Antahiya district in the south-east of Basra. |
| The soldiers had left their Warrior armoured vehicle when an improvised explosive device was detonated. | The soldiers had left their Warrior armoured vehicle when an improvised explosive device was detonated. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said the troops were returning to their base at Basra airport after carrying out a re-supply mission at their Basra Palace base. | |
| A British military statement said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm that three soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device this morning." | A British military statement said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm that three soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device this morning." |
| The injured soldier is being treated at a military field hospital in Basra. | The injured soldier is being treated at a military field hospital in Basra. |
| 'Deeply affected' | |
| Major Gell told BBC Radio Five Live: "It would be wrong to say incidents like this will not have an effect and morale from soldiers will, of course, take a knock. | |
| "All of us cope with death in different ways. | |
| "As individuals, we all get deeply affected, but we all appreciate there is a job to be done, and service personnel are professional, very resilient, and we recognise that we have a task to do and we'll do that task well." | |
| The deaths take to 156 the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003. | The deaths take to 156 the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003. |