At least 32 killed as twin suicide bombings rock Iraqi capital of Baghdad

The rare attack hit the Bab al-Sharqi commercial area amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis

No one immediately took responsibility for the attack, but Iraqi military officials said it was the work of Islamic State

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The site of one of the explosions in a central Baghdad market on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Published: 11:05pm, 21 Jan 2021Updated: 11:39pm, 21 Jan 2021

Twin suicide bombings ripped through a busy market in the Iraqi capital Thursday, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens, officials said.

The rare suicide bombing attack hit the Bab al-Sharqi commercial area in central Baghdad amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis. Blood smeared the floors of the busy market amid piles of clothes and shoes as survivors took stock of the disarray in the aftermath.

No one immediately took responsibility for the attack, but Iraqi military officials said it was the work of Islamic State.

Iraq’s health minister Hassan Mohammed al-Tamimi said at least 32 people were killed and 110 others were wounded in the attack. He said some of the wounded were in serious condition. Iraq’s military previously put the number of dead at 28.

A member of Iraqi security forces walks past the site of one of two bomb explosions in central Baghdad on Thursday. Photo: EPA

The Health Ministry announced that all of its hospitals in the capital were mobilised to treat the wounded.