August 05, 2008	Tuesday	Sha'aban 2, 1429

WASHINGTON, Aug 4: More than 80,000 facilities in Iraq will be inspected for faulty wiring as part of an effort to prevent future accidental electrocutions of US troops, the top commander in Iraq said.

At least 10 US soldiers, five Marines and a third-country contractor for the Defence Department have been identified as having died by electrocution in Iraq.

Gen David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, spelled out the extent of the review that began last month in a letter to Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, that was released on Monday by Casey’s office. Casey had questioned what changes had been made following the death of a Green Beret from Pittsburgh, Sgt. Ryan Maseth, who was electrocuted while showering.

Petraeus said a team was named to oversee the review of more than 80,000 facilities, which include 6,000 pre-existing Iraqi facilities.—AP