IRAQ: Bomb hits Baghdad pet market

Record ID: 357409

  • Title: IRAQ: Bomb hits Baghdad pet market
  • Date: 23rd November 2007
  • Summary: (W2) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (NOVEMBER 23, 2007) (AGENCY POOL) SCENE WITH DEBRIS AND ONLOOKERS ANIMAL CAGES AND DEBRIS ON GROUND CLOSE-UP OF DEAD BIRD BLOOD STAINS AND DISCARDED SHOES ON GROUND VARIOUS OF CHICKS CLOSE-UP OF DEAD BIRD BLOOD STAINS ON GROUND MARKET AREA AMBULANCE ARRIVING AT AL KINDI HOSPITAL INJURED MAN WALKING TOWARDS HOSPITAL
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: War / Fighting
  • Reuters ID: LVAA3W3OJC0BYQUD9ZN3AUH2SDAK
  • Story Text: A bomb in a pet market in central Baghdad has killed more than a dozen people and wounded scores.
    A bomb exploded in a pet market in central Baghdad on Friday (November 23), killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens, Iraqi police said.
    The blast occurred just before 9 a.m. local time (0600 gmt) at the al-Ghazl market, shattering the festive atmosphere as people strolled past the animal stalls.
    The explosives were hidden in a box that is commonly used to carry small animals, a police officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
    One nearby store owner described a scene of chaos as the blast happened, with birds flying into a smoke-filled sky and the bodies of young men scattered on the ground.
    From his hospital bed, Emmad Thaseen also described feeling a "huge thrust" as the explosives were detonated.
    "I was standing in the market, then I felt a huge thrust, many people were dead and injured. To die like this is very unfair," Thaseen said.
    At least 13 people were killed and nearly 60 wounded, including four policemen, according to figures provided by police and hospital officials.
    It was the first attack against the popular weekly bazaar, where sellers peddle birds, dogs, cats, sheep, goats and exotic animals such as snakes and monkeys, since a US-Iraqi security plan aimed at quelling spiralling violence began in mid-February.
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