The whereabouts of British TV reporter Mr Terry Lloyd and two of his news crewremained unknown today following fears they may have been hit by "friendlyfire" from coalition forces in Iraq.
The crew - including ITN cameraman Mr Fred Nerac and local translator HusseinOthman - disappeared after the incident which happened as they were trying toget to the front at Basra.
Another cameraman, Mr Daniel Demoustier, was injured as the crew drove towardsthe key southern city in two vehicles, but was able to get to safety.
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He saidthey had been fired on by tanks from the coalition forces at Iman Anas, whilethey were trying to drive away from a group of Iraqi soldiers.
"Immediately the allied tanks started heavy firing directly at us. Roundswere coming straight at the Jeep, smashing the windows and puncturing holes inthe bodywork," he said.
"Then the whole car was on fire. We were enveloped in flames. It wasterrifying.
"I'm so angry that we were fired on by the allies. The Iraqis must have beentheir real target but I'm sure they were surrendering - and anyway they were alldead within minutes."
The British Ministry of Defence said yesterday that it was still not clear what hadhappened to Mr Lloyd and his colleagues.
"We are still trying to establish the details of what happened," a spokesmansaid.
ITN said that they were becoming increasingly concerned for the fate of thethree men.