Several killed in Iraq bomb attack

At least eight people have been killed and 40 injured in a car bomb blast in Iraq's southern Babil province, officials say.

The explosion occurred at about 9am local time (0600 GMT) on Thursday at the al-Medhatiaya livestock market in Hamza, Khadim al-Shammari, a local police officer, told the AFP news agency.

There has not been any claim of responsibility for the attack at the mostly Shia Muslim town, which lies about 130km south of Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.

Babil province has a mixed Sunni Arab and Shia population and has been relatively peaceful in recent months.

The main responsibility for security across the province rests with Iraqi forces, although US troops have a low-key presence there.

The attack at the livestock market was the most deadly single bombing since 35 Shia pilgrims were killed by a suicide bomber south of Baghdad last month.

Thursday's bombing comes a day after a string of attacks against Iraqi police officers, soldiers and the leader of a armed group left at least 11 people dead.

PHOTO CAPTION

Map of Iraq locating Babil province

Al-Jazeera

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