15 killed in Baghdad car bomb

At least 15 people were reported to have been killed today when a car drove into a crowd and exploded outside a Baghdad recruiting station for the Iraqi army.

The Arab satellite station al-Jazeera reported that at least 15 died, but the figure could not immediately be confirmed.

About 100 volunteers were trying to enter the recruiting centre when a car smashed into the crowd, said Capt Hani Hussein of the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps. He said dozens were injured.

Ambulances raced to the scene, near the Muthanna military airport. Iraqi police cordoned off the area. Several vehicles, including an armoured car, were damaged.

Debris was scattered on a four-lane highway. Blood stained the road. At least one artillery shell could be seen lying on the road.