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Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings Dozens killed in Baghdad bombing
(about 3 hours later)
At least 57 people have been killed and 148 hurt in two near-simultaneous bombings in a central Baghdad square. At least 57 people have been killed and more than 220 injured after a suicide attacker detonated a large bomb in a central Baghdad square.
The first bomb, in a car, reportedly targeted a police vehicle in a square full of Shia labourers seeking work. The man detonated an explosives-packed pick-up truck after reportedly attracting crowds of Shia labourers to his vehicle with the promise of work.
Shortly afterwards, a nearby suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed pick-up truck. Some reports said this was the only explosion in the square. Earlier reports of a near-simultaneous explosion could not be confirmed.
The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says this appears to be the latest violence in a spiral of sectarian attacks.The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says this appears to be the latest violence in a spiral of sectarian attacks.
Gunfire could be heard immediately after the explosions but it is not clear if this was the work of insurgent snipers or police. The blast in Tayaran square happened at about 0700 (0400 GMT), at a time when it was crowded with day labourers from the Shia suburb of Sadr City who gather there every day hoping to find work.
There was also confusion over the number of blasts. Some witnesses saying there were two explosions, others that there was just one.
After the explosion, not a single person in the square was standing, I thought everyone was dead Khaled NasserWitness Pictures from the blastAfter the explosion, not a single person in the square was standing, I thought everyone was dead Khaled NasserWitness Pictures from the blast
Iraqi police say at least 150kg of explosives and ammunition were used in the latest attacks in central Baghdad's Tayaran Square.
The blasts happened at about 0700 (0400 GMT), at a time when the square was crowded with labourers looking for work.
'Bees to honey'
It is unclear if the first explosion took place in a parked car or in a vehicle driven by a bomber that rammed a police patrol.
The AFP news agency quotes witnesses as saying the first explosion forced people to take shelter on the other side of the square.
Shortly afterwards the pick-up truck exploded in the crowd.
Hospitals were crowded with victims of the bombings
Reports say the bomber tried to ensure the greatest number of casualties by attracting labourers to his vehicle with the promise of work.
"After the explosion, not a single person in the square was standing, I thought everyone was dead," Khaled Nasser, a labourer, told the AFP news agency."After the explosion, not a single person in the square was standing, I thought everyone was dead," Khaled Nasser, a labourer, told the AFP news agency.
He said his friends were "all cut in half, no legs, and for some I could only find their heads".He said his friends were "all cut in half, no legs, and for some I could only find their heads".
Khalil Ibrahim, 41, a shop owner told the Associated Press news agency: "In the first explosion, I saw people falling over, some of them blown apart. Mangled bodies were piled up by the roadside, some of them covered with paper, Associated Press reported.
"When the other bomb went off seconds later, it slammed me into a wall of my store and I fainted."
Mangled bodies were piled up by the roadside, some of them covered with paper, AP reports.
Bloodied survivors were seen weeping or walking in a daze. Witnesses described thick, black smoke rising from the site.Bloodied survivors were seen weeping or walking in a daze. Witnesses described thick, black smoke rising from the site.
Rising violence Gunfire could be heard immediately after the explosion but it is not clear if this was the work of insurgent snipers or police.
Tayaran square has been targeted by bombers before. It is located near several government ministries and a bridge which crosses the Tigris River to the heavily fortified Green Zone. Known tactic
The square is frequented by day labourers from the Shia suburb of Sadr City who gather there every day hoping to find work. The square has been targeted by bombers before. Correspondents say it is a tactic used to ensure the greatest number of casualties.
Hospitals were crowded with victims of the bombings
High unemployment and the collapse of Iraq's economy has increased the number of people dependent on such jobs.High unemployment and the collapse of Iraq's economy has increased the number of people dependent on such jobs.
Last month has seen some of the bloodiest sectarian violence in Iraq since the US invasion in 2003. The square is also located near several government ministries and a bridge which crosses the Tigris River to the heavily fortified Green Zone.
Last month saw some of the bloodiest sectarian violence in Iraq since the US invasion in 2003. Correspondents say the city is gripped by a series of tit-for-tat sectarian killings.
On Monday, at least 66 people were killed or found dead in the Baghdad area and northern Iraq, AP reported.
They included 46 men who were shot in the capital - the apparent victims of sectarian death squads.
While suicide bombings are the hallmark of the Sunni insurgency, Iraq's Shia militia groups have been blamed for operating death squads responsible for hundreds of abductions and executions.While suicide bombings are the hallmark of the Sunni insurgency, Iraq's Shia militia groups have been blamed for operating death squads responsible for hundreds of abductions and executions.