Four Brit Soldiers Killed
Four British servicemen have been killed and three injured in an attack on a patrol boat in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
The Ministry of Defence said the soldiers were part of a multinational force patrolling the Shatt Al Arab waterway.
Their names and the unit they were serving with have not yet been revealed.
The condition of the wounded soldiers was described by the MoD as either "very serious or serious."
Des Browne
Des Browne
They were taken by helicopter to the field hospital at nearby Shaibah Logistics Base where they underwent surgery.
"This terrible incident reinforces in our minds the sacrifice made by the brave men and women of our armed forces," said Defence Secretary Des Browne.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "These casualties are a powerful and poignant reminder of the difficult and dangerous tasks we ask our armed forces to undertake."
A British military spokesman said the boat appeared to have been hit by an improvised explosive device.
"The use of improvised explosive devices is very common in Iraq," said Captain Tane Dunlop.
""It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat."
The Shatt Al Arab Waterway is a major thoroughfare which has been used to transport goods and people for centuries.
British troops generally patrol the river in armoured boats of up to eight people.
The four deaths bring the total of British servicemen killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003 to 124.
The MoD says anyone worried about a family member should contact the 24-hour military helpline on 08457 800 900.
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