Recent file photo of Reuters photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen, who was killed along with driver Saeed Chmagh, 40, in Baghdad July 12, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    LONDON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi photographer and his driver working for Reuters in Iraq were killed in Baghdad on Thursday by the U.S. troops, Reuters reported.

    Photographer Namir Noor-Eldeen, 22, and driver Saeed Chmagh, 40,were killed in eastern Baghdad in what local police said was American military action and which witnesses described as a helicopter attack at a minivan, Reuters reported.

    A preliminary police report obtained by Reuters said Noor-Eldeen and Chmagh had been killed by a "random American bombardment" that killed nine other people.

    The U.S. military said it was looking into the reports but had no immediate statement.

    The deaths take to six the number of Reuters employees killed in Iraq since U.S.-led forces invaded the country in 2003.

    "Once again we are left mourning colleagues who have met an untimely death while doing their job in Iraq," said Reuters Chief Executive Tom Glocer.

    "Noor-Eldeen and Chmagh's outstanding contribution to reporting on the unfolding events in Iraq has been vital. They stand alongside other colleagues in Reuters who have died doing a job that they believe in," added Glocer.

    Reuters Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger said the deaths were a tragic reminder of the risks journalists face in covering the war in Iraq.

    "The job our reporters do is a critical one -- telling the world what is happening on the streets of Iraq on a daily basis," said Schlesinger. "Reuters will continue to do all it can to protect journalists who must work in dangerous and difficult conditions but still have a right to do their jobs."

    Noor-Eldeen was single. Chmagh was married with four children.