Two British soldiers died and two others were injured after a bomb attack struck in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
Peacekeeping forces appear to have been patrolling the city when a roadside bomb blew up at around 9:30 local time last night, killing and injuring soldiers from the Queen's Dragoon Guards, part of the Basra city battle group.
The MoD issued a statement this morning saying that the 'next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of time to come to terms with their tragic news'.
Reports suggest the explosion occurred in the northwest region of the city.
'It was with profound sorrow that I heard of the tragic deaths last night of two British soldiers,' said the defence secretary, Des Browne.
'Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these brave men.'
The latest deaths add growing weight to an acceleration in the number of British casualties in the Iraqi peacekeeping effort.
Adam Morris, 19, and Joseva Lewaicei, 25, died two weeks ago from a similar roadside bomb attack, while earlier this month five UK soldiers, including the first British servicewoman fatality, died when a Lynx helicopter was brought down by insurgents in the city.
© 2006 Adfero Ltd.
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