Iraq: At least 27 dead in a bomb attack in Kirkuk

At least 27 people were killed and many more injured when three bombs targeting security forces exploded near a police station in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. According to several reports, two of the bombs detonated in quick succession, killing police officers who rushed outside after the first explosion.

An unnamed Iraqi official attributed the attacks to the Al-Qai'da. Witnesses have said that the first bomb was set off in the police car park, and was extinguished by fire-fighters.

AFP quoted a police officer, Sherzad Kamil, as saying: “I ran out from the headquarters after I heard the first bomb. I went with my colleague to check the parking lot but as we arrived, a huge bomb went off…I fell on the ground and saw several of my colleagues killed and wounded."

Shortly after first two explosions, a third bomb went off reportedly targeting a convoy of senior police officials, injuring several people. According to Iraqi authorities, at least 70 people were wounded during the explosions.

The police chief of Kirkuk province, Maj Gen Jamal Tahir, said the attacks were most likely perpetrated by the Al-Qai'da.

Sources: BBC News, Los Angeles Times, CNN, AFP

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