A British soldier has been killed and four were seriously injured following a roadside bomb attack in Basra, southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence says.

The MoD confirmed that the soldier died from injuries sustained in the attack, which occurred around 12:30 local time.

It said an investigation into the attack had already been launched. Army spokesman Maj Steve Melbourne said the attack was to the north of Basra.

The latest killing brings the death toll for UK soldiers in Iraq to 98.

The MoD spokesman would not comment on the extent of the injuries sustained by the four wounded soldiers.

Heightened risk

BBC security correspondent Paul Wood said the device was likely to be one of a new type of explosive device which has killed British soldiers since August.

He said the devices have more sophisticated triggers and are capable of piercing through armour, which means that patrols in southern Iraq are "far more risky" for British soldiers.

PHOTO CAPTION

A British soldier secures the area in front of a British patrol which was attacked by a roadside bomb in the southern city of Basra, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005. (AP)