Three US soldiers killed in bomb attack

Three US soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and two Iraqi civil defence troopers have been killed when a roadside bomb detonated north of Baghdad, a US military spokesman said.

Two Americans were wounded in the attack.

The deaths bring to 500 the total number of American service members who have died since the Iraq war began on March 20.

The latest attack happened when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck an explosive device on a road near Taji, about 20 miles north of Baghdad, according to 4th ID spokesman Lt. Col. Bill McDonald.

The vehicle caught fire, killing the three Americans and two Iraqis who were on joint US-Iraqi patrol, McDonald said.

A US quick reaction force went to the area and detained three men fleeing in a white truck, he added. Soldiers found bomb-making material in the vehicle, he added.

CNN reported that the Bradley flipped over and caught fire.