Special report:Tension escalates in Iraq

 

Smoke rises from the site where three car bombs exploded in central Baghdad, Iraq , Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BAGHDAD, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 51 in three coordinated car bombings in a commercial area in central Baghdad on Saturday afternoon, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

    A total of 90 people were also injured when three parked car exploded at around 4:30 p.m. (1330 GMT) in a commercial area in the mixed neighborhood of Sadriyah, the source said on condition of anonymity.

    Earlier, the source said that 40 people were killed and 86 others wounded.

    The bombings apparently targeted civilians, the source said, adding that one of the car bombs struck an Iraqi army Humvee.

    The bombings came 10 days after four car bombs rocked the Shiite district of Sadr City, killing more than 200 and wounding more than 250, the deadliest attack in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.