Iraq: 50+ cars with people trapped in them, set ablaze by minivan bomb, dozens dead
A suicide bomber driving a minibus packed with explosives has killed at least 45 people and wounded 157 in the southern Iraqi city of Hilla, police and medical sources say.
over 150 injured.
The attacker approached a main checkpoint at a northern entrance to the largely Shia Muslim city and detonated the minibus, a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
At least 50 cars were set ablaze with passengers trapped inside and part of the checkpoint complex was destroyed, the officer said.
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"I was sitting inside my kiosk when suddenly a horrible blast threw me outside and hurled my groceries up in the air. I saw cars set ablaze with people burning inside," said Abu Nawar, owner of a makeshift kiosk made of palm tree leaves near the checkpoint.
Police were using cutting equipment to break inside the burnt vehicles and lift out charred bodies, the police officer said, adding that the death toll was expected to rise.
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/09/iraq-checkpoint-suicide-bomb-hilla
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