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Five Britons 'seized in Baghdad' Five Britons 'seized in Baghdad'
(about 1 hour later)
Five Britons are reported to have been kidnapped from the Iraqi finance ministry in Baghdad.Five Britons are reported to have been kidnapped from the Iraqi finance ministry in Baghdad.
They included four bodyguards and a finance expert, earlier reported to be German. They included four bodyguards and a finance expert. Earlier reports said the expert was German.
"We are aware of reports that a group of Westerners have been kidnapped. We are urgently looking into them," the UK foreign office said."We are aware of reports that a group of Westerners have been kidnapped. We are urgently looking into them," the UK foreign office said.
The foreign office is set to hold an emergency meeting on the situation and is assembling a crisis team.The foreign office is set to hold an emergency meeting on the situation and is assembling a crisis team.
Baghdad was also wracked by a bus explosion which killed at least 22 people and injured about 55, and a car bomb which killed at least 15 people and hurt at least 36.Baghdad was also wracked by a bus explosion which killed at least 22 people and injured about 55, and a car bomb which killed at least 15 people and hurt at least 36.
The US military also announced that two of its soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash on Monday in Diyala province.The US military also announced that two of its soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash on Monday in Diyala province.
Hostage negotiators
There are conflicting reports about exactly how Tuesday's abduction took place and how many people are missing.There are conflicting reports about exactly how Tuesday's abduction took place and how many people are missing.
Some reports say the kidnappers were driving what appeared to be police vehicles and wearing police commando uniforms. One report said the kidnappers were driving what appeared to be police vehicles, and wearing police commando uniforms.
Another, which came from the Iraqi police, said the Britons were taken from the cars on the street outside the ministry.
The missing security guards are all believed to have been working for the GardaWorld security agency. Their abducted client was thought to be advising the Iraqi finance ministry.The missing security guards are all believed to have been working for the GardaWorld security agency. Their abducted client was thought to be advising the Iraqi finance ministry.
The BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, says a crisis team, including police hostage negotiators, members of the secret intelligence service, and regional experts, is being assembled to establish lines of communication with the kidnappers.
About 200 foreigners of many different nationalities have been kidnapped in Iraq over the past four years, though this is thought to be the first time an abduction has been staged at a government facility.About 200 foreigners of many different nationalities have been kidnapped in Iraq over the past four years, though this is thought to be the first time an abduction has been staged at a government facility.