Iraq bombings: Isis claims responsibility as double car bomb attack kills at least 32 people in Samawah
An official said he expected the death toll to rise
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 32 people have been killed and up to 75 others wounded in a double car bomb attack claimed by Isis in Iraq, officials say.
A police officer said two parked explosives-laden cars detonated within minutes of each other, around midday in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah.
The first car exploded near government offices, while the second exploded minutes later at an open-air bus station about 60 metres away.
The officer said he expected the death toll to rise.
Unverified online photographs showed a large plume of smoke rising above the buildings, as well as burnt out cars and bodies on the ground at the site of one of the blasts, including several children.
Police and firefighters carried victims on stretchers and in their arms.
Isis primarily holds positions in Sunni areas of the country's north and west, far from the mainly Shia southern provincies were Samawa is located. Such attacks are relatively rare.
The terror group claimed resonsibility for a bombing that killed at least 21 people and wounded many more, in an attack targeting Shia pilgrims on Saturday morning.
On Saturday, hundreds of supporters of the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed Iraq's parliament building in Baghdad, demonstrating against a government deadlock.
A state of emergency was declared in the capital as the unrest continued on Saturday afternoon. Security officials said entrances to the city had been shut as a "precautionary measure".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments