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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iraqis killed by chlorine bombs | Iraqis killed by chlorine bombs |
| (3 days later) | |
| Three chlorine gas attacks in Iraq are reported to have killed eight people and left hundreds injured, including six US troops. | Three chlorine gas attacks in Iraq are reported to have killed eight people and left hundreds injured, including six US troops. |
| Two of the attacks were near the city of Falluja, the third near Ramadi, west of Baghdad. Both areas are hotbeds of al-Qaeda militants. | Two of the attacks were near the city of Falluja, the third near Ramadi, west of Baghdad. Both areas are hotbeds of al-Qaeda militants. |
| Chlorine gas can cause severe burns to the throat and lungs and can kill after only a few breaths. | Chlorine gas can cause severe burns to the throat and lungs and can kill after only a few breaths. |
| There were at least three such attacks in Iraq in February. | There were at least three such attacks in Iraq in February. |
| The BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, describes the use of the gas as an unsettling and possibly ominous development that could greatly increase fear and anxiety. | The BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, describes the use of the gas as an unsettling and possibly ominous development that could greatly increase fear and anxiety. |
| 'Vomiting' | 'Vomiting' |
| The heaviest casualties were in a suicide attack on Friday evening at the entrance to a housing estate south of Falluja in which six people were reported to have been killed. The injured included at least 27 children. | The heaviest casualties were in a suicide attack on Friday evening at the entrance to a housing estate south of Falluja in which six people were reported to have been killed. The injured included at least 27 children. |
| Shortly before that another attack in the same area killed two Iraqi policemen. | Shortly before that another attack in the same area killed two Iraqi policemen. |
| Officials say that in both attacks the assailants drove dumper trucks containing the bombs at their targets. One of the trucks is reported to have contained a 200 gallon (900 litre) tank of chlorine and explosives. | Officials say that in both attacks the assailants drove dumper trucks containing the bombs at their targets. One of the trucks is reported to have contained a 200 gallon (900 litre) tank of chlorine and explosives. |
| The third attack was at a checkpoint near Ramadi. | The third attack was at a checkpoint near Ramadi. |
| "Approximately 350 Iraqi civilians and six coalition force members were treated for chlorine gas exposure," Lt Roger Hollenbeck of the US-led forces based near Ramadi said, AFP news agency reported. | "Approximately 350 Iraqi civilians and six coalition force members were treated for chlorine gas exposure," Lt Roger Hollenbeck of the US-led forces based near Ramadi said, AFP news agency reported. |
| He said that victims were treated locally "for symptoms ranging from minor skin and lung irritation to vomiting". | He said that victims were treated locally "for symptoms ranging from minor skin and lung irritation to vomiting". |
| Our correspondent says that two of the bombers are thought to have been targeting tribal leaders who have spoken out against al-Qaeda in Iraq. | Our correspondent says that two of the bombers are thought to have been targeting tribal leaders who have spoken out against al-Qaeda in Iraq. |
| Easily obtained | Easily obtained |
| Our correspondent says that chlorine is easy to obtain as it is widely used as a cleaner and a water purifier. | Our correspondent says that chlorine is easy to obtain as it is widely used as a cleaner and a water purifier. |
| After an explosion outside a restaurant near Baghdad last month, as well as the six people killed, dozens of others were left coughing and choking and needing medical treatment. | After an explosion outside a restaurant near Baghdad last month, as well as the six people killed, dozens of others were left coughing and choking and needing medical treatment. |
| In February the United States military reported finding a bomb factory near Falluja, where chlorine car bombs were being constructed. | In February the United States military reported finding a bomb factory near Falluja, where chlorine car bombs were being constructed. |
| In another attack near Falluja last month, not involving chlorine, more than 35 people were killed when a conventional truck bomb exploded near a mosque where the imam had criticised al-Qaeda in Iraq. | |
| Some tribal leaders in the area have openly complained about al-Qaeda's activities. | Some tribal leaders in the area have openly complained about al-Qaeda's activities. |