Suicide bomb causes heavy casualties in central Iraq

More than 100 people were either injured or killed in a suicide bombing near a checkpoint in Hillah, the provincial capital of Babil Governorate in central Iraq on Sunday.

The truck driver set off the explosives when going through the second security check procedure after the security personnel had already found something suspicious about the truck.

The massive blast severely damaged the checkpoint and caused heavy casualties, said Iraqi authorities.

“The suicide bomb attack was conducted using a Mercedes truck. The explosion occurred right here. The truck was loaded with 300 kilograms of TNT explosives, and it almost destroyed the checkpoint here. Many logistics facilities and some 30 private cars were damaged. The attack was launched during rush hour, so many motorists coming from the central southern regions or returning from work in Baghdad were stranded here,” said Qassem Saleh, the spokesperson for Traffic Affairs.

Roads around the explosion site have reopened, but the clean-up will take a few more hours to finish, said Saleh.

The second explosion of a fuel tanker, which was caused by the blast, was reportedly a factor in the number of heavy casualties.

Babil Governorate provincial authorities have formed an investigation group to trace the truck’s travel route and have announced a three-day memorial service for the victims of the attack.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum condemned the attack on Sunday, urging security forces to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.