Car bomb blast in Baghdad kills 34

Baghdad, May 21: Atleast 34 people killed and 72 wounded in a powerful car bomb blast in northwest Baghdad on Wednesday, May 20 which hit the Iraqi capital in weeks, security officials said.

The officials from the interior and defence ministries said that the explosion happened in the Shula quarter in the north west city which is next to the Al-Sadrain interchange, that is popular for its eateries and markets.

"The explosion happened around a number of restaurants and retail shops. The car bomb was parked, one official at the defence ministry said. "It occurred when the streets were filled with people. There were a large number of people shopping. Many people were sitting in the restaurants. That is why there are so many victims," he added.

The Medics from Baghdad's Noor, Yarmuk and Medic hospitals confirmed the death toll. Security have been tightened since US and Iraqi forces began allying with local tribes and former insurgents in 2006 to combat al-Qaeda and others militias, but attacks in Baghdad, Mosul in the north and the central province of Diyala remain common.

OneIndia News