LONDON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The British Ministry of Defense said Wednesday the deaths of six soldiers in Iraq last year could not have been prevented.
The ministry, releasing the findings of an inquiry, said that communications were "confused" in the area and the men did not have the recommended ammunition. However, although they said these factors could have contributed to the deaths, there was "no conclusive evidence" that the soldiers could have been saved.
The soldiers were killed when a mob of 400 Iraqis attacked a police station in Al Majar al-Kabir, Southern Iraq, in June 2003.
Tensions were high in the area over weapons searches carried out in homes by British troops.
The report is likely to anger families of the soldiers, who have already accused the Army of a cover-up.
The father of one of the victims told the BBC that the incident was "a catalogue of blunders."
"I want Army careers finished for this," he said.
Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said at the hearing that he hoped the findings would help the bereaved families to understand their loved ones' deaths.
