Minivan bombs kill 31 at a Baghdad University

Two minivans exploded near a university as students were leaving after classes today in a predominantly Shiite area of eastern Baghdad, killing at least 31 people and wounding dozens, police said.

The blasts occurred near the Al-Mustansriya university at 3:45pm as the students were boarding several minivans waiting outside the building to take them home, police said. The force from the explosions of the two minivans and shrapnel devastated other vehicles nearby.

Police and hospital officials said at least 31 people were killed and 65 wounded, most students.

About 45 minutes later, gunmen in a minivan and on two motorcycles opened fire on an outdoor market in a mainly Shiite neighbourhood in nearby section of eastern Baghdad, police said.