World News Bomb kills 26 at Italian base in Iraq

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NASIRIYAH, Iraq (AP) - A tanker truck packed with explosives smashed into the Italian paramilitary installation in Nasiriyah on Nov. 12 and exploded in a ball of flame, killing at least 26 people in the deadliest attack against U.S. coalition partners since the occupation of Iraq began

The attack was the first in this relatively quiet Shiite Muslim city since the occupation began in May and appeared to send a message that international organizations are not safe anywhere in Iraq.

Eighteen Italians were killed: 12 Carabinieri paramilitary police, four army soldiers, an Italian civilian working at the base and an Italian documentary filmmaker. A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said at least eight Iraqis also died

Seventy-nine people were injured, including 20 Italians, hospital sources and Italian officials said. It was Italy's single worst military loss since World War II and its first in the Iraq campaign.

There were conflicting accounts of the attack, which took place about 10:40 a.m. at a three-story building used by the Carabinieri's multinational specialist unit.

According to some witnesseses, the attackers used a decoy car to distract guards in front of a roadblock near the building. An Italian official said gunmen in a second vehicle fired at the Italian guards while the suicide driver plowed through the gate and detonated his vehicle.

The explosion shattered all three stories of the building and set fire to cars parked nearby. Secondary explosions from ammunition stored in the building shook the area.

イタリア警察軍に自爆テロ

イラク南部ナシリヤで12日、駐留中のイタリア警察軍本部付近で爆発物を積んだタンカーによる自爆攻撃があり、少なくとも26人が死亡した。

Shukan ST: Nov. 21, 2003

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