This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6162712.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Iraqi workers die in bomb attack Iraqi workers die in bomb attack
(about 4 hours later)
At least 22 people died after a suicide bomber attacked a group of labourers in the mainly Shia, Iraqi town of Hilla, local police officials have said. A suicide bomber has blown himself among a crowd of labourers looking for work in the Iraqi town of Hilla, killing at least 22 people.
At least 44 people were also injured in the incident, according to police. Another 44 people were injured in the attack in the mainly Shia Muslim town.
Witnesses said the attack happened when the bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into a crowd of labourers queuing for work in a yard. Witnesses said the bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into the crowd of men who were queuing in a yard.
The attack on the town, 100km (65 miles) south of Baghdad, is the latest incident in the ongoing unrest in Iraq. In a Shia area of eastern Baghdad, at least 10 people died and 45 were injured as three car bombs went off at a bus station.
The bomb attack took place in the Bab al-Hussein area in central Hilla at about 0700 (0400GMT), police told AFP news agency. In other attacks:
  • Three civilians were killed and three police injured in a roadside bomb attack in central Baghdad
  • Sunni insurgents attacked a police checkpoint and shot police and Shia residents in the city of Baquba on Saturday, police said, prompting a curfew
  • 'Remains and blood'
    The attack in Hilla took place in the central Bab al-Hussein area of the town, 100km (65 miles) south of Baghdad, at about 0700 (0400 GMT), police told AFP news agency.
    People were racing everywhere looking for their missing sons, brothers, friends Mohammed Abbas KadhimPeople were racing everywhere looking for their missing sons, brothers, friends Mohammed Abbas Kadhim
    "The sudden explosion shook the whole area and shattered the windows of a store I was standing outside of nearby," said Muhsin Hadi Alwan, 33, one of the wounded labourers."The sudden explosion shook the whole area and shattered the windows of a store I was standing outside of nearby," said Muhsin Hadi Alwan, 33, one of the wounded labourers.
    "The ground was covered with the remains of people and blood, and survivors ran in all directions. How will I feed the six members of my family when I return home without work and without money?" he told AP news agency."The ground was covered with the remains of people and blood, and survivors ran in all directions. How will I feed the six members of my family when I return home without work and without money?" he told AP news agency.
    Another witness, Mohammed Abbas Kadhim, 30, said: "I was thrown a few metres by the blast and I couldn't see or hear for a few minutes as I was laying on the ground.Another witness, Mohammed Abbas Kadhim, 30, said: "I was thrown a few metres by the blast and I couldn't see or hear for a few minutes as I was laying on the ground.
    "People were racing everywhere looking for their missing sons, brothers, friends - all of them shouting: 'God is great,'" he said."People were racing everywhere looking for their missing sons, brothers, friends - all of them shouting: 'God is great,'" he said.
    Continued bloodshedContinued bloodshed
    The Iraqi government in Baghdad now estimates that 150,000 Iraqis have been killed since the US-led invasion in 2003. The Iraqi government estimates that 150,000 Iraqis have been killed since the US-led invasion in 2003.
    This year the death toll has been about 100 every day, adding up to some 3,000 a month. This year the death toll has been about 100 people every day, adding up to some 3,000 a month.
    Last month a bomb blast in a police station in Hilla killed the commander of an Iraqi special police force unit.Last month a bomb blast in a police station in Hilla killed the commander of an Iraqi special police force unit.
    It is about three months since the last major attack in Hilla, when a bomb was detonated at an army recruitment centre, killing a dozen would-be recruits and injuring many more.It is about three months since the last major attack in Hilla, when a bomb was detonated at an army recruitment centre, killing a dozen would-be recruits and injuring many more.
    In February 2005 Hilla was the site of one of the worst bomb attacks since the US-led invasion in 2003 when a suicide car bomber killed 125 national guard and police recruits. In February 2005 Hilla was the site of one of the worst bomb attacks since the US-led invasion, when a suicide car bomber killed 125 national guard and police recruits.