Two suicide bombers blew themselves up Thursday in a crowded outdoor market in a Shiite city south of Baghdad, killing 45 people and wounding 150, police said. Capt. Muthanna Khaled, police spokesman in the southern province of Babil, of which Hillah is the capital, reported the casualties.
The attackers reportedly strolled into the Maktabat outdoor market in the center of Hillah about 6 p.m. as shoppers were buying food for their evening meals. Police said they thought one of the men appeared suspicious and stopped him. The bomber then detonated his explosives and the second attacker, who was walking behind him, set off his, police added.
By John Amato
— January 31, 2007
