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/6353487.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings
(about 1 hour later)
At least 55 people have been killed in three bomb attacks in market areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.At least 55 people have been killed in three bomb attacks in market areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Two bombs went off in quick succession at the Shorja market, killing more than 46 people and wounding about 150.Two bombs went off in quick succession at the Shorja market, killing more than 46 people and wounding about 150.
Half an hour earlier a parcel bomb exploded at the Bab al-Sharqi market, killing about 10 people.Half an hour earlier a parcel bomb exploded at the Bab al-Sharqi market, killing about 10 people.
The blasts came either side of a 15-minute pause to commemorate a bomb attack on an important Shia shrine in Samarra one year ago.The blasts came either side of a 15-minute pause to commemorate a bomb attack on an important Shia shrine in Samarra one year ago.
The Samarra attack - on 22 February, but a year ago by the Islamic calendar - triggered an upsurge in sectarian violence which still grips the country costing thousands of lives a month.The Samarra attack - on 22 February, but a year ago by the Islamic calendar - triggered an upsurge in sectarian violence which still grips the country costing thousands of lives a month.
Shorja market was once Baghdad's main shopping area, but amid the violent division of Iraq's religious communities it is now mostly a Shia Muslim area, and a target for Sunni extremist groups. My store was completely burned, I lost $100,000 dollars. The government officials sit calmly in their offices, stuck on their chairs Shorja market trader Shorja market was once Baghdad's main shopping area, but amid the violent division of Iraq's religious communities it is now mostly a Shia Muslim area, and a target for Sunni extremist groups.
One report said two cars packed with explosives were detonated in quick succession, collapsing a building and setting shops on fire. Bab al-Sharqi is a rarer phenomenon in Baghdad, correspondents say, in that it is still frequented by Sunni and Shia traders and customers.
Iraqis had been urged to stop what they were doing for a quarter of an hour at midday (0900 GMT) on Monday to mark the attack on Samarra. Security drive
Bab al-Sharqi is a rare phenomenon in Baghdad, correspondents say, in that it is still frequented by Sunni and Shia traders and customers. The Shorja blast almost coincided with the end of a quarter of an hour's pause starting at midday (0900 GMT), when Iraqis had been urged by Prime Minister Nuri Maliki to stop work to mark the Samarra attack.
Mr Maliki at the same time ordered thousands of extra security forces onto the streets as part of a much-heralded joint Iraqi and US security plan.
One report said two cars packed with explosives were detonated in quick succession at Shorja market, obliterating a building and setting shops on fire.
Eyewitnesses described debris and mannequins scattered in thick pools of blood on the floor of one building used as a clothes store.
Angry and distressed shopkeepers vented their frustration that the government's apparent inability to combat the wave deadly bombings.
"My store was completely burned, I lost $100,000 dollars. The government officials sit calmly in their offices, stuck on their chairs," said Mohammed Haider.
The Bab al-Sharqi blast half an hour earlier was caused by a bomb hidden in a bag planted near a popular take-away falafel restaurant.
The two markets are little over one kilometre (less than a mile) apart on east side of the River Tigris.
They have both been targets for bomb attacks in the past.