http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040118/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_blast_3 BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb ripped through the area outside the main gate to the headquarters of the U.S.-led coalition Sunday, and U.S. military officials said at least six people were wounded. Dazed witnesses said at least one person was killed.
Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling, deputy commander of the 1st Armored Division, said the blast was caused by a suicide car bomb.
"It was literally at the last point a vehicle could get to without being stopped," Hertling said. "The barriers absorbed most of the blast."
Initial reports indicated at least five Iraqis and one U.S. soldier were wounded, Hertling said. Some witnesses said the number was higher, and one man said his friend was killed.
At least three separate fires were seen after the blast. One man was seen lying motionless on the side of the road as coalition soldiers and civilians helped the wounded.
Coalition tanks also moved in near the blazes. Iraqi police announced on loudspeakers that coalition forces will give $2,500 to anyone providing information on the perpetrators.
A coalition official said on condition of anonymity that the blast occurred near the "Assassin's Gate" to Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s former Republican Palace complex, now used by the U.S.-led occupation authority for headquarters.
Iraqis line up there every morning seeking access to the compound if they have business with coalition authorities.
"I was lining up for the job when a Land Cruiser and another one went off," Haidar Hanoun said. "It was very strong. There are a lot of injured and dead."
Nabil Abdul Zahar said a friend standing with him in line for security checks was killed.
"My friend was standing behind me in the line when the explosion happened," a shaken Zahar said. "There were lots of injured. I went to check on him. I saw his throat cut. I called for help and no one came to help me. He died right there on the ground."
The explosion occurred about 8 a.m. and could be heard along the banks of the Tigris River, which flows through the center of the city of 5 million. Dense morning fog blanketed the city at the time.
The last large explosions in the center of Baghdad occurred Monday when mortars exploded near the river.