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Bombers rock Baghdad university | Bombers rock Baghdad university |
(20 minutes later) | |
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 Iraqi 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 href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6268327.stm" class="">In pictures: Baghdad bloodied | |
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? |