Iraq: Brit soldiers in 'Basra tank inferno'

ITN: Dramatic pictures are reaching us of a British army tank, being pelted with petrol bombs in Basra, Southern Iraq.

The tank is seen coming under attack, apparently from petrol bombs.

A crowd gathers around the tank as it tries to reverse away from trouble.

Within moments the top of the tank was ablaze, although it was not clear if the vehicle itself was on fire or if the flames came from materials burning on top of the tank.

One soldier climbed out of the tank's hatch and jumped clear of it, as the crowd pelted him with stones.

British military authorities said they could not confirm the incident but were investigating.

Basra has been relatively stable compared to central Iraq, where Sunni Arab insurgents have killed thousands of Iraqi and American forces, officials and civilians with suicide attacks, roadside bombs and shootings.

British forces have suffered far less casualties than their American allies. Link


See also: Iraq: Sadr spokesman issues 'vailed threat' to British forces Link