THREE BOMB BLASTS KILL 34 IN IRAQ AND INJURE 100

Scores killed in Iraq blasts

A twin bomb attack occured near a bus stop in Hilla [AFP]

Three bomb blasts in Iraq have killed more than 34 people and injured 75 others.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/12/2009122414310924426.html

Officials said that a double explosion struck near a bus station in Babil province on Thursday, killing 14 policemen and a provincal councillor.


The first bomb, in a car, was said to have exploded at about 2pm (1100GMT) in Hilla, the provincial capital about 95km south of the capital Baghdad.


Another blast came about 15 minutes later when police arrived.


The authorities said that the attacks targeted Shia pilgrims who gathered near the bus station to mark Ashura, a commemoration of the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein.

In northeastern Shia area of Sadr City in Baghdad, a bomb planted near a funeral tent killed eight people and wounded another 33.