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Four UK soldiers killed in Iraq Four UK soldiers killed in Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
Four British soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb near Basra, southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Two women were among four British soldiers killed by a roadside bomb near Basra, southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
A civilian translator was also killed in the bomb blast, which targeted a patrol in a Warrior armoured vehicle.A civilian translator was also killed in the bomb blast, which targeted a patrol in a Warrior armoured vehicle.
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.
The British army's spokesman in Iraq, said there has been a "steady increase" in the number of attacks on UK troops.
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.
The MoD said next of kin were being informed and no further details would be released until that process was complete.The MoD said next of kin were being informed and no further details would be released until that process was complete.
Continuing attacksContinuing attacks
According to the MoD, the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday.According to the MoD, the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday.
The Warrior armoured personnel carrier first came under attack near the centre of town and continued on its way.The Warrior armoured personnel carrier first came under attack near the centre of town and continued on its way.
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.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.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.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.
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.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.
Prime Minister Tony Blair contrasted the safe return of 15 British sailors and marines held captive in Iran with the soldiers' deaths.Prime Minister Tony Blair contrasted the safe return of 15 British sailors and marines held captive in Iran with the soldiers' deaths.
He said: "Just as we rejoice at the return of our 15 personnel, so today we also grieve and mourn for the loss of our soldiers in Basra who were killed as a result of a terrorist act."He said: "Just as we rejoice at the return of our 15 personnel, so today we also grieve and mourn for the loss of our soldiers in Basra who were killed as a result of a terrorist act."
Defence secretary Des Browne said his thoughts were with the families of the deceased.Defence secretary Des Browne said his thoughts were with the families of the deceased.
Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, 18, was shot while on patrol in BasraRifleman Aaron Lincoln, 18, was shot while on patrol in Basra
He added that their deaths were a sobering reminder of the "difficult job that we ask our people to do in Iraq and elsewhere, and how well and how bravely they carry this out".He added that their deaths were a sobering reminder of the "difficult job that we ask our people to do in Iraq and elsewhere, and how well and how bravely they carry this out".
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.
The bodies of 18-year-old Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, and Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28, from Chindit Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, have been flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.The bodies of 18-year-old Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, and Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28, from Chindit Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, have been flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
Kingsman Wilson, from Workington, Cumbria, was fatally wounded while on patrol in the al-Ashar district of Basra on 1 April. He leaves behind a wife and son.Kingsman Wilson, from Workington, Cumbria, was fatally wounded while on patrol in the al-Ashar district of Basra on 1 April. He leaves behind a wife and son.
Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from Durham, was shot in the same area the following day.Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from Durham, was shot in the same area the following day.
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 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.