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'Dozens killed' in Iraq bombing 'Dozens killed' in Iraq bombing
(10 minutes later)
A car bomb has exploded in a crowded market in southern Iraq, killing at least 28 people. A car bomb has exploded in a crowded market in the southern Iraqi province of Dhiqar, killing at least 28 people.
Hospital officials say that about 40 people were wounded in the blast but the number of casualties is expected to go up. Hospital officials say about 40 people were wounded in the mid-morning attack, although the number of casualties is expected to rise.
Police say the bomb was in a parked car in the market town of Bathaa which is 30km (20 miles) west of Nasiriya. Police say the bomb was in a parked car in the market town of Bathaa, about 30km (20 miles) west of Nasiriya.
In the past the area has been rocked by fighting between rival Shia militia factions. In the past the area has been the scene of fighting between rival Shia militia factions.
"Children and women are among the dead," said Ali Batha, mayor of the town of Batha. A statement posted on the Dhiqar province website said that "no fewer than 30 bodies were collected and around 70 others were wounded," AFP news agency reported.
"We are now transporting the casualties to the general hospital in Nasiriya." The mayor of Bathaa, Ali Fahad, said women and children were among the dead.
"We are now transporting the casualties to the general hospital in Nasiriya," he said.
Overall, attacks have fallen sharply in Iraq.
But a number of recent blasts in the south have raised fears that sustained violence could return to the area.
The US plans to withdraw troops from Iraqi cities and major towns by 30 June, and is due to end combat operations across Iraq by September 2010, leaving Iraqi security forces to cope alone.
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