Six people were killed in Iraq today when a minibus filled with Iraqi civilians crashed into an American tank near the city of Muqdadiyah. Eight people were listed as injured by the collision according to a spokesman for the U.S. 1st Infantry Division, Major Neal O'Brien.

Eyewitnesses to the accident say the minibus was trying to pass a slower moving vehicle in front of it when it struck the left front quarter panel of the tank.

'This is a tragic accident,' Major O'Brien said. 'The tank attempted to turn away from the oncoming vehicle, but could not avoid the collision.'

U.S. army personnel stopped to administer first aid to the victims of the collision. The injured Iraqis were taken to Muqdadiyah Hospital for treatment.

American authorities are investigating the collision although preliminary reports indicate it was not an act of terrorism or organized by insurgents.