Baghdad: Minibus blast death toll rises to 16

A minibus exploded near an army recruiting centre in central Baghdad today, killing at least 16 people and injuring seven, the Defence Ministry said.

Maj. Gen. Ibrahim al-Obeidi said that a Korean-made Kia minibus exploded near the northern gate of the al-Muthana recruiting centre.

No further details were available and it was unclear if the explosion was the result of a suicide attack. Such mini buses are often used by suicide bombers.

Police at Baghdad’s al-Yarmouk hospital said they had received 16 bodies from the explosion.