This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36720720
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Iraq sees worst bombing since invasion with 250 deaths | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The death toll from Sunday's suicide bombing in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has risen to 250, the Iraqi government says, making it the deadliest such attack since the 2003 US-led invasion. | |
A lorry packed with explosives was detonated in the Karrada district while families were shopping for the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. | A lorry packed with explosives was detonated in the Karrada district while families were shopping for the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. |
So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it carried out the suicide attack. | So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it carried out the suicide attack. |
An earlier estimate for the attack had put the toll at 165. | |
Iraq remains under an official state of mourning following the bombing. | |
The destruction of the area was all but complete. Bewildered local residents have held candlelight vigils to mourn victims and pray for peace. | |
Engulfed in flames | |
Scores of people were also injured but most have been released from hospital, according to the Iraqi health ministry. | |
The ministry said those critically injured had been sent abroad, without giving further details. | |
The bombing in a mostly Shia Muslim area just after midnight came a week after Iraqi forces had recaptured the city of Falluja from IS. | |
Reports said a lorry had been packed with explosives and left near the Hadi Center, popular with shoppers. | |
The powerful blast engulfed the area in flames. Such was the chaos it took days for the scale of the attack to become clear. | |
The Iraqi government has been heavily criticised over the attack, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met by angry crowds when he visited the blast site. | The Iraqi government has been heavily criticised over the attack, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met by angry crowds when he visited the blast site. |
On Tuesday, the Iraqi interior minister Mohammed Ghabban submitted his resignation but it has not yet been accepted. | On Tuesday, the Iraqi interior minister Mohammed Ghabban submitted his resignation but it has not yet been accepted. |
IS follows an extreme version of Sunni Islam and has frequently targeted Shia, whom it regards as apostates. |