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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Four UK soldiers killed in Iraq | Four UK soldiers killed in Iraq |
| (20 minutes 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 explosion 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 is also reported to have been 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. | 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. |
| "Next of kin are being informed and no further details will be released until this process is complete." | "Next of kin are being informed and no further details will be released until this process is complete." |
| Continuing 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. | |
| 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. | |
| After the bomb explosion British forces in the area came under attack from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades they fired back. | |
| 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. | |
| Further deaths | Further 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 southern 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. |