Ninety-one killed as two blasts rip through Ramadan crowds at Baghdad shopping areas

Two blasts have ripped through busy market areas in Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, killing 91 people and injuring 170. The so-called Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

 

 

Two blasts have ripped through busy market areas in Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, killing 91 people and injuring 170. The so-called Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Iraqi officials quoted by AP put the death toll from the first attack, in Karrada district, at 86 and said that more than 170 people had been injured.

Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan confirmed that the first blast had come from a car bomb.

Eyewitnesses said on Twitter that many shops burned down as a result of the explosions, and there are fears that the number of casualties could grow.

Karrada is mostly inhabited by Shia, but also has quite a large Christian minority. The area becomes very busy after sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.