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Baghdad bombings leave 150 dead Baghdad bombings leave 150 dead
(20 minutes later)
A wave of car bombs and mortar blasts in the Shia Sadr City district of the Iraqi capital has left more than 150 people dead and more than 200 injured.A wave of car bombs and mortar blasts in the Shia Sadr City district of the Iraqi capital has left more than 150 people dead and more than 200 injured.
It was the most devastating series of attacks in Baghdad in a single day since the US-led invasion in 2003.It was the most devastating series of attacks in Baghdad in a single day since the US-led invasion in 2003.
At least three bombs exploded in crowded areas of Sadr City, the frequent target of Sunni insurgents.At least three bombs exploded in crowded areas of Sadr City, the frequent target of Sunni insurgents.
Mortar attacks were later reported on a Sunni neighbourhood, as the authorities put Baghdad under an indefinite curfew.Mortar attacks were later reported on a Sunni neighbourhood, as the authorities put Baghdad under an indefinite curfew.
Baghdad airport has also been closed to commercial flights until further notice.
PanicPanic
The blasts brought panic to the streets of Sadr City, a densely populated, largely Shia neighbourhood, as distraught residents searched for family and friends.The blasts brought panic to the streets of Sadr City, a densely populated, largely Shia neighbourhood, as distraught residents searched for family and friends.
There were pools of blood on the street and children dead on the ground Kareem al-Rubaie News photographer Death toll hits record high Who are the armed groups?There were pools of blood on the street and children dead on the ground Kareem al-Rubaie News photographer Death toll hits record high Who are the armed groups?
The bombs exploded 15 minutes apart in a busy square, a food market and a street where people catch buses, timed to cause maximum damage, says the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad.The bombs exploded 15 minutes apart in a busy square, a food market and a street where people catch buses, timed to cause maximum damage, says the BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad.
At about 1500 local time , a car exploded in the Jamila food market, where eyewitnesses told reporters that burned bodies and human flesh littered the ground.At about 1500 local time , a car exploded in the Jamila food market, where eyewitnesses told reporters that burned bodies and human flesh littered the ground.
The vegetable market had been packed with shoppers buying provisions ahead of the Friday holiday.The vegetable market had been packed with shoppers buying provisions ahead of the Friday holiday.
Hospitals have been struggling to cope with the casualtiesHospitals have been struggling to cope with the casualties
The first blast was followed by at least two others, also believed to be suicide car bomb attacks, at 15-minute intervals.The first blast was followed by at least two others, also believed to be suicide car bomb attacks, at 15-minute intervals.
Several mortar rounds also hit Sadr City, police said.Several mortar rounds also hit Sadr City, police said.
"I was out shopping. As the bombs went off, everyone started running and shouting," news photographer Kareem al-Rubaie told Reuters new agency."I was out shopping. As the bombs went off, everyone started running and shouting," news photographer Kareem al-Rubaie told Reuters new agency.
"I saw a car from a wedding party, covered in ribbons and flowers. It was burning. There were pools of blood on the street and children dead on the ground.""I saw a car from a wedding party, covered in ribbons and flowers. It was burning. There were pools of blood on the street and children dead on the ground."
CursesCurses
The number of casualties put major pressure on transport and hospitals.The number of casualties put major pressure on transport and hospitals.
BLOODIEST DAYS OF VIOLENCE 23 Nov 2006 - 138 deadWave of car bomb and mortar blasts strike Sadr City in Baghdad7 April 2006 - 85 deadTriple suicide bombing at Shia Buratha mosque in Baghdad5 Jan 2006 - 110 deadSuicide bombers hit Karbala shrine and police recruiting station in Ramadi14 Sept 2005 - 182 deadSuicide car bomber targets Baghdad labourers in worst of a series of bombs28 Feb 2005 - 114 deadSuicide car bomb hits government jobseekers in Hilla2 March 2004 - 140 deadSuicide bombers attack Shia festival-goers in Karbala and Baghdad1 Feb 2004 - 105 deadTwin attacks on Kurdish parties' offices in IrbilBLOODIEST DAYS OF VIOLENCE 23 Nov 2006 - 138 deadWave of car bomb and mortar blasts strike Sadr City in Baghdad7 April 2006 - 85 deadTriple suicide bombing at Shia Buratha mosque in Baghdad5 Jan 2006 - 110 deadSuicide bombers hit Karbala shrine and police recruiting station in Ramadi14 Sept 2005 - 182 deadSuicide car bomber targets Baghdad labourers in worst of a series of bombs28 Feb 2005 - 114 deadSuicide car bomb hits government jobseekers in Hilla2 March 2004 - 140 deadSuicide bombers attack Shia festival-goers in Karbala and Baghdad1 Feb 2004 - 105 deadTwin attacks on Kurdish parties' offices in Irbil
The injured filled Sadr City's hospitals, with dozens lying bleeding in the corridors.The injured filled Sadr City's hospitals, with dozens lying bleeding in the corridors.
Angry residents and armed Shia militiamen came out onto the streets, hurling curses at Sunni Muslims, the Associated Press news agency reports.Angry residents and armed Shia militiamen came out onto the streets, hurling curses at Sunni Muslims, the Associated Press news agency reports.
The Iraqi health minister, Ali al-Shammari, accused Sunnis and loyalists of the former ruling Baath party of being behind the attacks.The Iraqi health minister, Ali al-Shammari, accused Sunnis and loyalists of the former ruling Baath party of being behind the attacks.
"They were killed in cold blood by Sunni extremists and Baathist criminal remnants," he told the BBC Arabic Service."They were killed in cold blood by Sunni extremists and Baathist criminal remnants," he told the BBC Arabic Service.
Brazen attacksBrazen attacks
Sadr City is largely controlled by the Mehdi Army, the best-known of the Shia Iraqi militias, which has been accused of carrying out many sectarian attacks.Sadr City is largely controlled by the Mehdi Army, the best-known of the Shia Iraqi militias, which has been accused of carrying out many sectarian attacks.
Living with violence Sadr City: Shia strongholdLiving with violence Sadr City: Shia stronghold
Shortly after the blasts, a dozen mortars hit the Adhamiya district, a predominantly Sunni area, injuring 10 people, the interior ministry said.Shortly after the blasts, a dozen mortars hit the Adhamiya district, a predominantly Sunni area, injuring 10 people, the interior ministry said.
In another part of Baghdad, five people were reported injured at the health ministry when about 30 gunmen opened fire on the compound.In another part of Baghdad, five people were reported injured at the health ministry when about 30 gunmen opened fire on the compound.
The Iraqi authorities put Baghdad's seven million residents under curfew on Thursday evening, saying all people and vehicles must stay off the streets until further notice.The Iraqi authorities put Baghdad's seven million residents under curfew on Thursday evening, saying all people and vehicles must stay off the streets until further notice.
The daily attacks in Baghdad are now more brazen and more sectarian, says BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.The daily attacks in Baghdad are now more brazen and more sectarian, says BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.
On Wednesday, the United Nations said violent deaths among civilians hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people losing their lives - the majority in sectarian attacks.On Wednesday, the United Nations said violent deaths among civilians hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people losing their lives - the majority in sectarian attacks.
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