'Casualties' as car bomb explodes in Baghdad

A car bomb exploded near a police station in the Iraqi capital early today, the US military said.

Sergeant Christina Rockhill, of the 1st Cavalry Division, said there were casualties in the blast near Haifa street but that exact figures were not yet known.

Haifa street is a main Baghdad thoroughfare that was the scene of fierce clashes yesterday between US forces and militants.

Helicopters hovered around the area.

Health Ministry spokesman Saad Al-Amili said at least 27 people were killed and dozens of others wounded.

Officials later raised the death toll to at least 32, with 88 injured.