British journalists killed in Iraq

Monday, 29, May 2006 07:54

Two British journalists have been killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.

Paul Douglas, 48, and James Brolan, 42, were working for the US TV network CBS in Baghdad when their patrol was hit at around 10:30 local time this morning.

The two men, both from London, died immediately.

Kimberley Dozier, the 39-year-old correspondent for whom they were working, was severely injured by the blast and underwent surgery at a US military hospital.

She is currently in a critical condition with doctors cautiously optimistic that she will survive the attack.

"This is a devastating loss for CBS News" said Shaun McManus, president of CBS news and sports.

"They always volunteered for dangerous assignments and were invaluable in our attempt to report the news to the American public.

"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families of Paul and James and we are hoping and praying for a complete recovery by Kimberley."

The crew was embedded with the US 4th brigade combat team when an "improvised explosive device" was detonated. They are understood to have been outside the patrolling humvee when the attack took place.

"The next of kin have been informed… consular staff in Baghdad are providing assistance to the families," the Foreign Office confirmed in a statement.

The roadside bomb was one of a series of attacks on US patrols in Baghdad which have today caused the deaths of over 50 people.

All three journalists had extensive experience from different warzones, and their deaths highlight the extreme dangers for journalists in Iraq.

Today's attack is the first on Western reporters since two ABC reporters, Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt, were severely injured from a similar roadside bomb.