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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Four UK servicemen dead in Iraq | Four UK servicemen dead in Iraq |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Four British servicemen have been killed following an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq. | Four British servicemen have been killed following an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq. |
| Another three suffered serious injuries in the attack which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra. | Another three suffered serious injuries in the attack which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra. |
| The boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device", said Captain Tane Dunlop, speaking from Basra. | The boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device", said Captain Tane Dunlop, speaking from Basra. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute. It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125. | Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute. It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125. |
| 'Unusual' | 'Unusual' |
| 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." |
| He said the injured servicemen had been evacuated to a field hospital where they were receiving medical attention. | He said the injured servicemen had been evacuated to a field hospital where they were receiving medical attention. |
| Among the injured, at least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said. | Among the injured, at least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said. |
| Patrol boats form a key task for UK troops in the area | Patrol boats form a key task for UK troops in the area |
| 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. |
| British military personnel have been patrolling the waterway, which borders with Iran and is considered a vital supply line, since 2003. | British military personnel have been patrolling the waterway, which borders with Iran and is considered a vital supply line, since 2003. |
| The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) on Sunday and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat. | The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) on Sunday and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat. |
| BBC correspondent David Loyn, speaking from Baghdad, said: "It was quite an extraordinary attack. | BBC correspondent David Loyn, speaking from Baghdad, said: "It was quite an extraordinary attack. |
| MoD HELPLINE 08457 800 900 | MoD HELPLINE 08457 800 900 |
| "The boat was on the water with at least seven military personnel on board. We don't know if they were marines or soldiers." | "The boat was on the water with at least seven military personnel on board. We don't know if they were marines or soldiers." |
| Many of the deaths of British servicemen in Iraq have been caused by improvised bombs. | Many of the deaths of British servicemen in Iraq have been caused by improvised bombs. |
| Stark reminder | Stark reminder |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| "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." |
| 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. |
| Both Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed their sympathy to the families of those killed. | |
| In a separate incident, the US military says three American soldiers have been killed in combat while operating in western Al-Anbar province. | In a separate incident, the US military says three American soldiers have been killed in combat while operating in western Al-Anbar province. |
| And two suicide bombers have killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police say. | And two suicide bombers have killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police say. |