Three car bombs have exploded in the southern Iraqi city of Amara, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 100, police say.
Three car bombs have exploded in the southern Iraqi city of Amara, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 100, police say.
Two bombs exploded in a car park packed with labourers waiting to travel to work, and a third detonated as people gathered to inspect the damage.
Two bombs exploded in a car park packed with labourers waiting to travel to work, and a third detonated as people gathered to inspect the damage.
Amara is 350km (236 miles) south of the capital, Baghdad, in Maysan Province.
Amara is 350km (236 miles) south of the capital, Baghdad, in Maysan province.
It is a mainly Shia area, with four different groups - three with armed militias - competing for supremacy.
It is a mainly Shia area, with four groups - three with armed militias - competing for political supremacy.
The attack is one of the deadliest in Iraq in recent months and comes amid an upsurge of violence in the past week, which has seen senior security and political figures targeted.
There has been no word on who was behind any of the attacks but correspondents say they are probably related to a power struggle among Shia factions.
British withdrawal
British withdrawal
Police in Baghdad say the three bombs exploded in quick succession at about 1100 local time (0800 GMT).
Police in Baghdad say the three bombs exploded in quick succession at about 1100 local time (0800 GMT).
There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties, but the city council's security chief told the BBC that 39 people were killed, and 125 more were hurt.
There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties, but the city council's security chief told the BBC that 39 people were killed, and 125 more were hurt.
Most of the dead and injured are said to have been caught by the third blast.
Most of the dead and injured are said to have been caught by the third blast.
Correspondents say it is rare for the area to experience car bomb attacks of this kind.
Correspondents say it is rare for the area to experience car bomb attacks of this kind.
British troops handed over responsibility for security in Maysan to Iraqi forces in April.
It comes amid rising tensions in the southern oil-producing region as the UK scales down its troop presence.
A similar handover is expected next week in neighbouring Basra province, ending Britain's responsibility for security in four of Iraq's southern provinces.
Iraqi forces took over responsibility for security in Maysan province in April.
A similar handover is expected next week in neighbouring Basra province, ending Britain's control in four of Iraq's southern provinces.
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