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Dozens killed in Iraq oil blast Dozens killed in Iraq oil blast
(30 minutes later)
At least 34 people have been killed by an explosion at an oil pipeline in southern Iraq, reports say. At least 34 people have been killed and others injured by an explosion at a disused oil pipeline in southern Iraq.
The victims are believed to have been siphoning fuel from the pipeline in an industrial zone south of Diwaniya, 130km (80 miles) south of Baghdad. A police spokesman said people had been siphoning fuel from the pipeline in an industrial zone south of Diwaniya, 130km (80 miles) south of Baghdad.
The explosion caused a massive fire, which police say is hampering the rescue effort. The explosion caused a massive fire, which police said was hampering the rescue effort.
In a separate development, police have found 11 bodies near a school in a south-western district of Baghdad.In a separate development, police have found 11 bodies near a school in a south-western district of Baghdad.
There are conflicting reports on the number of dead in the pipeline explosion. A unnamed police source quoted by Reuters news agency said 50 people had been killed.There are conflicting reports on the number of dead in the pipeline explosion. A unnamed police source quoted by Reuters news agency said 50 people had been killed.
Police and other security forces have cordoned off the site. Officials say the cause of the blast is still being investigated.Police and other security forces have cordoned off the site. Officials say the cause of the blast is still being investigated.
Witnesses told Reuters the explosion happened at about 11pm local time (1900 GMT) on Monday, when a large group of people were taking fuel from two pools.Witnesses told Reuters the explosion happened at about 11pm local time (1900 GMT) on Monday, when a large group of people were taking fuel from two pools.
Two news agencies reported that government officials said the pipeline was out of operation. Government officials said the pipeline, which used to carry petrol to the capital, had been out of operation since 2003.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the practice of siphoning fuel from piplelines is apparently not uncommon in Iraq. Monday's fighting prompted some local people to leave Diwaniya
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the practice of siphoning fuel from pipelines is apparently not uncommon in Iraq.
Diwaniya was the scene on Monday of fierce clashes between Iraqi troops and Shia militiamen.Diwaniya was the scene on Monday of fierce clashes between Iraqi troops and Shia militiamen.
At least 19 soldiers were killed and more than 40 people were wounded in Diwaniya. Officials said some 40 gunmen from the Mehdi Army had also died.At least 19 soldiers were killed and more than 40 people were wounded in Diwaniya. Officials said some 40 gunmen from the Mehdi Army had also died.
Security operationSecurity operation
After the bodies were found near the Baghdad school, police said the victims had been tortured and shot in the head and chest. Their identities are not known.After the bodies were found near the Baghdad school, police said the victims had been tortured and shot in the head and chest. Their identities are not known.
It comes at a time when US and Iraqi security forces are engaged in a new security operation aimed at reducing the level of violence in the city.It comes at a time when US and Iraqi security forces are engaged in a new security operation aimed at reducing the level of violence in the city.
Also on Tuesday, insurgents killed two Shia militiamen in the city of Baquba north of Baghdad.Also on Tuesday, insurgents killed two Shia militiamen in the city of Baquba north of Baghdad.
Iraqi police told the AFP news agency the militiamen were killed in an attack on the office of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.Iraqi police told the AFP news agency the militiamen were killed in an attack on the office of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.
The US military in Iraq announced on Tuesday that two US soldiers died in Iraq - one in fighting in Anbar province and the second from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.The US military in Iraq announced on Tuesday that two US soldiers died in Iraq - one in fighting in Anbar province and the second from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.