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Scores killed in Baghdad blasts Scores killed in Baghdad blasts
(41 minutes later)
More than 140 people have been killed in a wave of car bomb and mortar blasts in the Shia Sadr City area of the Iraqi capital, security sources say. A wave of car bomb and mortar blasts in the Shia Sadr City area of the Iraqi capital has caused heavy loss of life.
Details are sketchy, but a further 200 were reportedly wounded in one of the most devastating series of attacks since the US-led invasion in 2003. Officials said at least 115 people had been killed, while some reports put the number of dead at more than 140. A curfew is now being imposed on Baghdad.
In one incident a car exploded at a food market which is a regular target of mainly Sunni Muslim insurgents. The attacks, among the bloodiest since the US-led invasion in 2003, hit crowded markets in Sadr City which are regular targets for Sunni insurgents.
Elsewhere, gunmen attacked the health ministry, sparking battles with guards.Elsewhere, gunmen attacked the health ministry, sparking battles with guards.
PanicPanic
In the first blast at about 1500 local time, a car exploded in the Jamila food market, where eyewitnesses told reporters that burned bodies and human flesh littered the ground.In the first blast at about 1500 local time, a car exploded in the Jamila food market, where eyewitnesses told reporters that burned bodies and human flesh littered the ground.
Death toll hits record high Living with violenceDeath toll hits record high Living with violence
It was followed by two other blasts at 15-minute intervals, the BBC's David Loyn in Baghdad says. It was followed by two other blasts, also believed to be suicide car bomb attacks, at 15-minute intervals.
The vegetable market had been packed with shoppers buying provisions ahead of the Friday holiday.The vegetable market had been packed with shoppers buying provisions ahead of the Friday holiday.
The bomb went off in an area where people gather to pick up the minibuses that operate as taxis in the city.The bomb went off in an area where people gather to pick up the minibuses that operate as taxis in the city.
The scale of attack caused a fierce fire and immediate panic in the poor Shia region in the east of Baghdad. The scale of attacks caused a fierce fire and immediate panic in the poor Shia region in the east of Baghdad.
The blasts destroyed whole streets, leaving bodies strewn among mangled wreckage.The blasts destroyed whole streets, leaving bodies strewn among mangled wreckage.
The number of casualties put major pressure on transport and hospitals.The number of casualties put major pressure on transport and hospitals.
Brazen attacks
Angry residents and armed Shia militiamen came out onto the streets, hurling curses at Sunni Muslims, the Associated Press news agency reports.Angry residents and armed Shia militiamen came out onto the streets, hurling curses at Sunni Muslims, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Shortly after the blasts, a dozen mortars hit the Adhamiya district, a predominantly Sunni area, reports said.Shortly after the blasts, a dozen mortars hit the Adhamiya district, a predominantly Sunni area, reports said.
In another part of Baghdad, five people were reported injured at the health ministry when some 30 gunmen opened fire on the compound.In another part of Baghdad, five people were reported injured at the health ministry when some 30 gunmen opened fire on the compound.
In an immediate response, the Iraqi authorities announced that Baghdad was being put under an indefinite curfew beginning at 2000 local time (1700 GMT).
The daily attacks in Baghdad are now more brazen and more sectarian, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.The daily attacks in Baghdad are now more brazen and more sectarian, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.
On Wednesday, the United Nations said violent deaths among civilians hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people losing their lives - the majority in sectarian attacks.On Wednesday, the United Nations said violent deaths among civilians hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people losing their lives - the majority in sectarian attacks.
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