At least 62 people have been killed and scores wounded in a double bombing at a university in Baghdad, officials say.
At least 62 people have been killed and scores wounded in a double bombing at a university in Baghdad, officials say.
A car bomb blew up outside Mustansiriyah University, and a suicide bomber targeted students as they fled.
A car bomb blew up outside Mustansiriyah University, and a suicide bomber targeted students as they fled.
Elsewhere in the Iraqi capital, at least 25 people died in car bombings and shootings.
Elsewhere in the Iraqi capital, at least 25 people died in car bombings and shootings.
The attacks came as the UN said more than 34,400 Iraqis had died in 2006 in violence across the country.
The attacks came as the UN said more than 34,400 Iraqis had died in 2006 in violence across the country.
It also said more than 36,000 civilians were hurt during the year.
It also said more than 36,000 civilians were hurt during the year.
The UN's figures were almost three times the Iraq government's estimate.
The UN's figures were almost three times the Iraq government's estimate.
The latest attacks come less than a week after US President George W Bush ordered more than 20,000 additional US troops to Iraq.
The latest attacks come less than a week after US President George W Bush ordered more than 20,000 additional US troops to Iraq.
Most of them are heading for Baghdad in what is expected to be a new security drive by US and Iraqi forces to rid the city of daily sectarian attacks.
Most of them are heading for Baghdad in what is expected to be a new security drive by US and Iraqi forces to rid the city of daily sectarian attacks.
Students killed
Students killed
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the bombers apparently attacked at the front and rear entrances of the university building, catching many of the students as they emerged.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the bombers apparently attacked at the front and rear entrances of the university building, catching many of the students as they emerged.
The majority of those killed are female students who were on their way home University official
The majority of those killed are female students who were on their way home University official
A car bomb exploded followed by a suicide bomber who blew himself up among people fleeing the first blast in the predominantly Shia area, police said.
A car bomb exploded followed by a suicide bomber who blew himself up among people fleeing the first blast in the predominantly Shia area, police said.
Pictures from the campus showed a scene of devastation, with wrecked and blackened vehicles scattered across a wide area.
Pictures from the campus showed a scene of devastation, with wrecked and blackened vehicles scattered across a wide area.
"The majority of those killed are female students who were on their way home," Reuters news agency quoted a university official as saying.
"The majority of those killed are female students who were on their way home," Reuters news agency quoted a university official as saying.
"There's glass everywhere and the doors were blown out," the official said.
"There's glass everywhere and the doors were blown out," the official said.
Police said more than 100 people were wounded in the blasts, the worst single attacks in the capital this year.
Police said more than 100 people were wounded in the blasts, the worst single attacks in the capital this year.
The Ministry of Higher Education has issued a plea for blood donors.
The Ministry of Higher Education has issued a plea for blood donors.
Market bombed
Market bombed
Hours earlier, another twin bombing tore through a used motorcycle market in Baghdad's mainly Shia Bab al-Sheik neighbourhood.
Hours earlier, another twin bombing tore through a used motorcycle market in Baghdad's mainly Shia Bab al-Sheik neighbourhood.
An initial blast drew in onlookers, who were hit by a second explosion moments later.
An initial blast drew in onlookers, who were hit by a second explosion moments later.
"The first explosion - many people died and the people who came to rescue them were killed in the second explosion," an unnamed witness told the Associated Press news agency.
"The first explosion - many people died and the people who came to rescue them were killed in the second explosion," an unnamed witness told the Associated Press news agency.
"There was a motorcycle that exploded in the second blast," he said.
"There was a motorcycle that exploded in the second blast," he said.
Raad Abbas, 26, described a scene of carnage.
Raad Abbas, 26, described a scene of carnage.
"Shortly after midday, I heard an explosion. Motorcycles were flying in the air, people were falling dead and wounded," he told AP.
"Shortly after midday, I heard an explosion. Motorcycles were flying in the air, people were falling dead and wounded," he told AP.
Meanwhile in the north of the capital, gunmen opened fire on shoppers in the mixed al-Bounuk area, killing 10 and wounding seven others, before reportedly fleeing in vehicles.
Meanwhile in the north of the capital, gunmen opened fire on shoppers in the mixed al-Bounuk area, killing 10 and wounding seven others, before reportedly fleeing in vehicles.
Are you in Baghdad? Have you been affected by the violence?
Are you in Baghdad? Have you been affected by the violence?
