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.
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.
Seems in previous attacks at this location that a buffer/ barrier was mentioned that provides some protection for those guarding the entrance.