Three British soldiers die in Iraq

Rifleman Edward Vakabua, 23, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, died in an accident at the Basra Palace base in the centre of the southern Iraqi city on Friday.

Lance Corporal Ryan Francis, 23, of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the Hay Al Mudhara district of the southern Iraqi city in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A third soldier, of the 3 Regiment Royal MP, was seriously injured in the same operation to target groups believed to be responsible for recent attacks.

He later died from his wounds, the Ministry of Defence said. His next of kin have been informed.

Lc/Cpl Francis, from Llanelli, south Wales, was the driver of a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and a member of the Battle Group's elite Recce Platoon.

He was killed during the largest operation launched by the Brigade in Basra this year aimed at defeating insurgents who had been attacking the Iraqi Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre, where Iraqi security forces and multinational forces are based.

Three other soldiers were injured in the operation, one of whom has since died. The others are being treated in the British field hospital in Basra.

Lc/Cpl Francis, who was known as Franky, died instantly when his vehicle was attacked.

Lieutenant Colonel James Swift, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said he was a "professional, brave and committed soldier who was the heart and soul of his Platoon. He was genuine, honest, frank but always witty, and he was much liked and respected by all," Lt Col Swift said.