Iraq blasts kill at least 65

Iraqi police say a pair of powerful explosions rocked central Baghdad today, killing 65 people and injuring at least 180.

The blasts went off near the Ministry of Justice and the offices of a Kurdish political party during the morning rush hour as people headed to work.

The police spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the press.

Qassim Atta, spokesman for the Baghdad Security Service, said the explosions were caused by car bombs aimed at government institutions.

“They are targeting the government and the political process in the country,” he said.

An employee at the Baghdad Governorate said that after the first blast, dozens of employees began fleeing the building as walls collapsed.

Black smoke could be seen billowing from the area where the blasts occurred, and emergency service vehicles sped to the scene.