Iraq: An Arabic television channel has broadcast a videotape which appears to show Iraqi insurgents firing a missile that downed a British transport plane.
The British authorities said yesterday that 10 people died when the plane, a Hercules transporter, crashed on Sunday.
The video, issued by a group calling itself the 1920 Revolution Brigades, showed a mid-air explosion at a distance then burning debris of what looked like a plane, including an engine, on the ground and filmed at close range in a large field.
Arabic television channel Al Jazeera said it had received a copy of the tape from the group, which has claimed responsibility for some attacks and kidnappings in the past.
The group, whose name refers to Iraq's fight against British rule, has often released videos of attacks on US troops.
British Defence Secretary Mr Geoff Hoon said nine RAF personnel and one soldier were "missing, believed killed" in Sunday's election day crash.
He said he was aware of reports the plane may have been shot down.
However, he added: "We are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete."
Mr Hoon said US and British forces have secured the crash site, are now recovering the bodies and attempting to determine what caused the giant aircraft to plunge into the desert.
Among the victims was Australia's first casualty of the Iraq war, a former Australia Air Force member who had joined the RAF.
"It could very well be hostile action," said Air Vice-Marshal Tony Mason.
Wreckage from the C-130 Hercules aircraft was strewn over a wide area when it plunged into the desert 30 kilometres northwest of Baghdad, prompting defence experts to speculate it could have been hit by insurgents. - (Reuters)