Strong explosion rocks central Baghdad
( 2003-10-27 14:00) (Agencies)
A strong explosion rocked an area of Baghdad near the Red Cross building and thick black smoke was billowing from the area, witnesses said. At least two cars were on fire and U.S. troops were cordoning off the area.
Fire trucks and ambulances were racing to the scene.
The huge blast, which occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m., came one day after a rocket attack on the Al Rasheed Hotel, where U.S. military and coalition officials lived. An American colonel was killed and 18 people were injured. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was in the building but escaped injury.
At least one other explosion could be heard soon after the first one Monday. It appeared the second explosion was in the area of the al-Shaab neighborhood.
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