UK Iraq crash: 10 presumed dead
Islamic militant group says it shot down plane
 |  A militant group claimed to have shot down the C-130 (File photo). |
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 Military expert says at least nine British troops have died in the crash of a C-130 plane in Iraq.
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Ten British servicemen are missing and presumed dead following the crash of a C-130 Hercules transport plane in Iraq, officials said.
It is the largest single loss of British lives since the start of the Iraq war. The previous highest total was eight, in March 2003.
"It is with great regret that I can confirm that nine Royal Air Force personnel and one soldier are missing believed killed," Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said in a statement Monday.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and all the Armed Forces, I should like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of these servicemen."
The Islamic militant group Ansar al-Islam posted a statement on an Islamic Web site Monday claiming responsibility for the crash. The statement said its fighters tracked the aircraft and "fired an anti-tank missile at it," downing it.
"We are aware of reports that the aircraft may have been shot down, but we are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete," Hoon said.
"The deaths of these servicemen are especially poignant on a day when Iraqis were able to enjoy the freedom of democratic elections for the first time in many years."
The crash occurred in clear weather at 5:25 p.m. Sunday (1425 GMT).
U.S. military officials said the crash took place about 25 miles north of Baghdad, near Balad, and that widespread wreckage was visible.
Helicopters and U.S. ground troops were involved in search-and-rescue operations and working to prevent looting.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a televised statement Sunday, said British troops are "doing an extraordinary job on behalf of their country."
He added: "Yet again today, we see the sacrifice that they made. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives earlier today. They can be so proud of what their loved ones accomplished. This country and the wider world will never forget them."
The previous largest single loss of British life in Iraq occurred on March 21, 2003, when eight British troops died as the U.S. helicopter they were in crashed.
