Posted on 07/13/2004 10:24:59 PM PDT by HAL9000
Per CNN live, heavy black smoke over the area
Big blast rocks centre of Baghdad
A bomb has rocked the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, sending thick smoke into the air near the heavily guarded area known as the Green Zone.
The apparent attack came near the offices of the interim Iraqi government and the US and British embassies.
At least four people are reported killed in the blast which happened as people queued to get into the zone.
A BBC correspondent who was himself waiting to get in said the explosion came from a car about 50m behind him.
The blast happened at 0515 GMT (0915 local time). It was followed by gunfire and sparked widespread panic.
The explosion took place where cars queue to drop off and pick up people in the Green Zone, the huge closed-off complex that until June was the headquarters of the US-led authorities in Iraq.
Those waiting to get inside the zone were office workers, cleaners and journalists, including the BBC's Peter Greste.
He described a scene of chaos with body parts everywhere. Four bodies were dragged from the wreckage.
Other witnesses said a man walked away from the blast scene with blood pouring from a chest wound.
In May, the then head of Iraq's Governing Council was killed in a suicide car bomb attack as he entered the zone.
Thank you also.
Prayers for your son's safety, jonsie.
Praying for your sons safety and for you as well.
Massive Explosion Heard in Iraqi Capital
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A massive explosion rocked central Baghdad on Wednesday on the outskirts of the so-called Green Zone, which houses the U.S. and British Embassies. There were reports of casualties.
Black and gray smoke poured into the air over a parking lot. Police cars and ambulances raced to the scene.
The area was the headquarters of the U.S. occupation authorities before the turnover of power to an Iraqi interim government.
"We were gathering outside the convention center seeking jobs," said one witness, Alla Hassan. "We were thrown on the ground. Then I saw many dead people on the ground."
The U.S. military had no immediate comment.
At least 7 believed dead in Baghdad blast
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least seven people, all believed to be Iraqis, have been killed in a suspected car bomb blast in central Baghdad, although the U.S. military says the number could change.
A U.S. soldier at the scene of the blast on Wednesday morning said he had seen seven dead.
Seems in previous attacks at this location that a buffer/ barrier was mentioned that provides some protection for those guarding the entrance.
Thank you for this news. Any life that is lost while trying to build a stable Iraq is indeed a sad day.
Prayers for your son's safety.
latest from FOX say 7 Iraqis killed.
Have faith he'll be OK. We trust it is so.
Iraqis waiting in line for jobs--large plume of smoke--choppers/ambulances--one main blast
per Greg Palkot Things in Iraq are improving greatly. Iraqi security is large. People are comforted by the presence of Iraqi security.
Don't wait up. The perky one will not mention anything but bad news.
You're right, jonsie. Any life lost in building a stable Iraq is a sad day.
My mention of barricades is just what I think I remember.
Greg Palkot, Fox, saying all dead are Iraqis. At least 7 killed. Pedestrians and motorists involved. Iraqis were standing waiting to go into zone and get jobs. June 17 was last car bomb at Iraqi recruitment center.
Palkot said they (Fox reporters) are getting out to talk to people. The people like what Alawi government is saying....tough talk. Like what they're seeing....greater Iraqi security presence. Very hard to protect against individual attacks such as just occurred.
Palkot says have to be careful and with security in moving about Baghdad. Remarked last night on how quiet it had been. Blast was quarter of mile from the new government offices.
AP News AlertBAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Iraqi police say that nine people have died and 20 were wounded in a car bomb explosion in Baghdad.
Car bomb kills at least nine near zone housing U.S., British Embassies in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A massive car bomb exploded Wednesday at a checkpoint near an area housing international offices and embassies in Baghdad, killing at least nine people and injuring 20 others, police said.
The car was packed with 1,000 pounds of explosives and was detonated at a checkpoint leading to the parking lot, said Iraqi police Col. Majid Abdel Hamid.
Black and gray smoke poured into the air over the lot. Police cars and ambulances raced to the scene. Nine people died and 20 were wounded, said Maj. Haider Abdel Rida.
"We were gathering outside the convention center seeking jobs," said one witness, Alla Hassan. "We were thrown on the ground. Then I saw many dead people on the ground."
The area was once the headquarters of the U.S. occupation authorities, but now houses the U.S. and British Embassies, as well as the offices of the interim Iraqi government.
Iraqi police sealed off the area. U.S. helicopters hovered over the blast site.
At al-Yarmuk hospital, Iraqis waited anxiously outside for the ambulances to arrive.
Doctors worked frantically to cut bandages and tend to the wounded. Men arrived on stretchers, splattered with blood.
Ping - Details still coming in: "Baghdad - Powerful explosion at the entrance to the Green Zone"
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