A suicide bomber blew up his vehicle in a crowded market south of Baghdad on Friday, killing 22 people and wounding 40, police said.
The bomber detonated his charge in the busy Mokhadar fruit and vegetable market in the centre of Suwayrah, about 50km from the capital, Baghdad.
Hospital doctor Alaa Jassem said six of the most severely wounded were transferred to hospitals in Baghdad.
The blast devastated the crowded market, blowing away stalls and destroying cars.
The town lies in a lawless area where Sunni Arab insurgents have carried out scores of attacks against security forces amid mounting tensions between Sunni and Shi’ite residents and reports of tit-for-tat killings. — Sapa-AFP