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Iraq oil city blasts kill dozens Iraq oil city blasts kill dozens
(30 minutes later)
Bomb attacks in the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk have killed at least 85 people and wounded more than 180.Bomb attacks in the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk have killed at least 85 people and wounded more than 180.
A suicide bomber detonated a lorry near the offices of a Kurdish political party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), causing most of the casualties.A suicide bomber detonated a lorry near the offices of a Kurdish political party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), causing most of the casualties.
Two other bombs later went off in the city. No group has claimed the attacks.Two other bombs later went off in the city. No group has claimed the attacks.
The status of Kirkuk is disputed by Arab Iraqis, Kurds and Turkmen. The number of bombings in the region has been increasing in recent months.The status of Kirkuk is disputed by Arab Iraqis, Kurds and Turkmen. The number of bombings in the region has been increasing in recent months.
Witnesses to the attack on the offices of the PUK - a party led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani - said the massive explosion there left a crater several metres deep.Witnesses to the attack on the offices of the PUK - a party led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani - said the massive explosion there left a crater several metres deep.
More than 20 cars were destroyed, two buildings collapsed completely and a number of shops were also damaged.More than 20 cars were destroyed, two buildings collapsed completely and a number of shops were also damaged.
MAJOR ATTACKS IN 2007 16 July: at least 85 die in twin bombings in Kirkuk7 July: 105 killed in Amirli market bombing19 June: 87 die in Baghdad mosque blast18 April: 190 killed in car bombings in Baghdad29 March: 82 killed in double suicide bombing in Baghdad market6 March: 90 killed in double suicide bombing in Hilla3 Feb: 130 die in suicide truck bombing in Baghdad22 Jan: 88 killed in Baghdad car bombings Source: AFP Kirkuk blasts in pictures Dozens of bodies are said to be buried in the rubble and the death toll is expected to rise. MAJOR ATTACKS IN 2007 16 July: At least 85 die in twin bombings in Kirkuk7 July: 105 killed in Amirli market bombing19 June: 87 die in Baghdad mosque blast18 April: 190 killed in car bombings in Baghdad29 March: 82 killed in double suicide bombing in Baghdad market6 March: 90 killed in double suicide bombing in Hilla3 Feb: 130 die in suicide truck bombing in Baghdad22 Jan: 88 killed in Baghdad car bombings Source: AFP Kirkuk blasts in pictures Dozens of bodies are said to be buried in the rubble and the death toll is expected to rise.
"Most of the wounded, which include women and children, are in a critical condition," Kirkuk's police chief told AFP news agency."Most of the wounded, which include women and children, are in a critical condition," Kirkuk's police chief told AFP news agency.
In the second attack, about 15 minutes later, a bomber struck a bus station at a nearby market, which was largely empty after the first bombing. One civilian was wounded.In the second attack, about 15 minutes later, a bomber struck a bus station at a nearby market, which was largely empty after the first bombing. One civilian was wounded.
Several hours later, a car bomb exploded in southern Kirkuk, killing a police officer and wounding six other policemen, officials say.Several hours later, a car bomb exploded in southern Kirkuk, killing a police officer and wounding six other policemen, officials say.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says Kirkuk police managed to arrest the bus station bomber.The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says Kirkuk police managed to arrest the bus station bomber.
Tensions have risen in Kirkuk area, where the Iraqi government is planning to hold a referendum by the end of the year.Tensions have risen in Kirkuk area, where the Iraqi government is planning to hold a referendum by the end of the year.
The city lies outside Iraqi Kurdistan but is claimed by many Kurds for their national capital.The city lies outside Iraqi Kurdistan but is claimed by many Kurds for their national capital.
On 7 July a truck bomb killed 105 people at market in the town of Amirli, south of Kirkuk.On 7 July a truck bomb killed 105 people at market in the town of Amirli, south of Kirkuk.
Meanwhile, in the capital Baghdad a series of attacks on Monday morning killed at least nine people.Meanwhile, in the capital Baghdad a series of attacks on Monday morning killed at least nine people.
In the deadliest of the attacks, a roadside bomb hit an Iraqi army patrol on the city's north-eastern outskirts, killing five soldiers and wounding nine others.In the deadliest of the attacks, a roadside bomb hit an Iraqi army patrol on the city's north-eastern outskirts, killing five soldiers and wounding nine others.