A bomb detonated in front of a hotel in central Baghdad Wednesday, destroying the facade of the three-story building and setting cars on fire. At least four people including a South African were killed, officials said.
Earlier, Iraqi police said three persons were killed but the U.S. military put the toll at one dead, according to The AP.
Witnesses said a car bomb exploded in the front of the al-Shaheen building. This information was later confirmed by US sources. The hotel, whose windows were shattered, is close to the former U.S. Embassy and a police station.
A large portion of the hotel is occupied by Iraq's interim minister for labour Sami Azara al-Majun, according to security officials.
Several fire trucks could be seen in the area, and occupation troops sealed off the area. Two other buildings nearby were badly damaged - one housing policemen assigned to protect embassies in the area, and the other a company that sells fire extinguishers, reports said.
Parts of the hotel's concrete walls were torn away, leaving gaping holes and destroying the interior. The walls that remained were blackened. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
