Probe launched into Basra deaths
The British personnel were evacuated by helicopter
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Monday, 13, Nov 2006 07:55
An investigation has been launched to determine how four British soldiers were killed and three others seriously injured when their patrol boat came under attack in southern Iraq yesterday.
Launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the probe will analyse in "minute detail" the circumstances surrounding the attack on the vessel, which was hit by an improvised explosive device as British troops patrolled the Shatt-al-Arab waterway in Basra .
The army's spokesperson in Basra , Captain Tane Dunlop, said that the investigation would seek to find out how the attack was carried out by insurgents.
Speaking on the Today programme, Captain Dunlop said: "The scope is basically the entire attack; how it was carried out and how we can bring those who are responsible to justice and prevent this sort of thing happening again in the future, as we do after incidents of almost any nature in Iraq and anywhere in operations."
He added that the attack was "unusual" in its nature, indicating that militants appeared to be attempting to find a "chink in the armour" of the British army after previous attempts to attack troops in Basra had failed.
"They have tried a number of different forms of attack, none of which were met with success, and therefore they are now looking forward to try and find a chink in the armour," said Captain Dunlop.
The names of those killed and injured in yesterday's attack, which took place at around 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT), have yet to be confirmed, but the MoD has revealed the identity of the units the service personnel were serving with.
Two of the four were Royal Marines from the 539 Assault Squadron, one was from the Royal Signals and another had been serving with the Intelligence Corps.
Asked about the condition of the three servicemen injured in the attack, Captain Dunlop confirmed that two of the individuals were "seriously injured", while the condition of the third serviceman had improved overnight so that he was no longer considered seriously injured.
Commenting yesterday on the attack, which brings the total number of British troops killed in Iraq since 2003 to 125, defence secretary Des Browne said: "This terrible incident reinforces in our minds the sacrifice made by the brave men and women of our armed forces."
Mr Browne added that the latest deaths, occurring on Remembrance Sunday, were a "stark reminder" of the perils faced by Britain 's troops serving overseas.
The latest violence in Iraq comes as Tony Blair prepares to address the US bipartisan panel, which is considering what Washington 's future strategy should be in Iraq.
The prime minister will address the Iraq study group by video conference tomorrow, following a speech in London tonight in which he is expected to call upon Iran and Syria to play a role in helping to secure peace in the country and wider Middle East region.