Suicide attack kills 3, injures 79 near Iraqi bank

Suicide attack kills 3, injures 79 near Iraqi bank

2011-09-30 18:25:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

KIRKUK, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- A suicide bombing near a bank in northern Iraq on Thursday left at least three people killed and nearly 80 others injured, officials said on Friday.

The attack occurred in Iraq's oil-rich city of Kirkuk near the June 1st Bank in the central area of the city, which is located some 280 kilometers (173 miles) north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, officials told the Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

The suicide attack was carried out with an explosive-filled vehicle which detonated while the driver passed near the bank while a number of people were waiting in line to receive their salaries, Police Director Sarhad Qader told the media outlet.

Kirkuk Health Department Director-General Dr. Siddiq Omar later confirmed that the attack killed at least three people and injured 79 others. In addition, two houses were burned and 18 civilian vehicles were damaged due to the blast.

It was not immediately known who was behind the attack.

Also on Thursday, a group of unidentified gunmen attacked an Interior Ministry vehicle in northeastern Baghdad, killing the driver and seriously wounding a police officer. The gunmen fled the scene.

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