Iraq

Market blast kills 28 in southern Iraq

Article published on the 2009-06-10 Latest update 2009-06-10 12:08 TU

The aftermath of a vegetable market blast in Baghdad, where bombings are common. Today's attack, in the southern town of Batha, was the bloodiest in weeks.
Photo: Reuters

A car bomb attack has killed at least 28 people, including women and children, in a southern Iraq market today. The blast comes three weeks before US troops are due to pull out of major Iraqi cities.

In the deadliest attack in Iraq this month, the bomb ripped though a market district in Bathaa, a town in the mainly Shiite province of Dhiqar, about 320 kilometers south-east of Baghdad.

Forty-five people were wounded in the blast, which comes weeks before US troops are due to pull out of towns and cities across the country.

It is the latest in a series of high-profile explosions that have raised concerns about a resurgence of violence. Internal fighting between Shiite militia factions were rife in the area before a declared cease-fire.

Ali Fahad, the mayor of Bathaa, said that women and children were among those killed. "We are now transporting the casualties to the General Hospital in Nassiriyah."

An inquiry has been launched to determine if police could have prevented the bombing.