- Several people have been killed in a powerful explosion
in central Baghdad.
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- The blast hit the Shaheen hotel near the banks of the
River Tigris and close to the former US embassy at around 0630 (0330 GMT).
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- Black smoke was seen pouring from the hotel as dazed
guests staggered into the streets.
-
- It comes a day after six American troops, two CNN employees
and two Iraqi civilians were killed in violence in and around the Iraqi
capital.
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- A Reuters correspondent at the scene of the blast said
it appeared to have been caused by a car bomb.
-
- "It blew out the whole front of the hotel and there
are at least five burnt out cars scattered around. There are also several
bodies," he said.
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- US military forces have sealed off the area and rescuers
are reported to be searching for people trapped in the rubble.
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- © BBC MMIV
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3436237.stm
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