Road blast kills six civilians

AN explosion on a road frequently used by British troops killed six civilians in the southern city of Basra yesterday as the American military detained about 20 people suspected of links to al-Qaida.

In Basra, a blast during the morning rush hour destroyed two cars on a road regularly used by British troops, witnesses said.

Soldiers immediately blocked off access to the site, and Iraqi police and hospital officials said six civilians died in the blast.