British troops escape injury in Iraq bomb

A roadside bomb exploded as a British patrol was crossing a bridge in Basra today, killing one Iraqi and injuring six others.

The explosion along the highway leading to Basra airport missed the British forces, but sent a nearby Iraqi car tumbling off the bridge onto the railway tracks below, police Lt. Col. Kareem Sarkhan said.

There were no reports of British casualties.

The British military could not immediately be reached for comment.

Improvised explosives have become the weapon of choice in a 17-month campaign to drive the United States and its allies out of Iraq.