Civilians killed as Baghdad bomb misses target

A roadside bomb apparently aimed at a senior Transport Ministry official missed its target and killed two bystanders instead, Iraqi officials said today.

The bomb exploded near the convoy carrying the official in the capital, Baghdad, at about 8am.

The blast happened in the mainly Sunni area of Dora in southern Baghdad, a former insurgent stronghold.

Police and officials confirmed the death toll and said eight other people were injured.