Central Baghdad rocked by blast

[hussar]

A powerful explosion shook central Baghdad just after dawn on Wednesday, according to reports.

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).

Black smoke was seen pouring from the hotel as dazed guests staggered into the streets. Some people are reported to have been wounded.

US military officials were not immediately available for comment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3436237.stm

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. Reuters: several wounded, wrecked car near hotel

A powerful blast shook central Baghdad shortly after dawn Wednesday, wounding several people, witnesses said.
A Reuters cameraman at the scene said he saw a wrecked car near a hotel in the central district of the city, but had no further details.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4223756

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. car bomb, "many casualties" press kept out: Reuters

A suspected car bomb has blown up outside a hotel in central Baghdad shortly after dawn, destroying the building and causing many casualties, Reuters witnesses say.

"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," a Reuters correspondent at the scene said on Wednesday.

Ambulances rushed to the site of the blast at the Shaheen Hotel and carried several people off to hospital. Rescuers were searching through piles of rubble trying to get to anyone caught in the building.

U.S. military forces sealed off the area, keeping journalists and bystanders at a distance.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040128/325/ekjo7.html

[AZCat]

3. My god what have we done?

Every day it's another story of people being hurt and killed. I know there are places around the globe that are this bad that we don't hear about, but this one we created. I can't imagine what will happen if we don't get the bastards out of the white house in November.

[dweller]

7. and they only count the soldiers

in the 500+ body count, now what is the real number of the innocents, the bystanders, the visiting dignitaries, newspeople, the real total?

the real number, the one no one wants to know. It keeps growing.
dp

[markses]

9. If it's less than 30,000 dead

in this criminal war, I'd be shocked to silence. At least 30,000. At least.

[JohnyCanuck]

4. Another sign of progress in the stabilization of Iraq. n/t

n/t

[markses]

5. Hmm - Hope those UN election officials weren't staying there

What a fucking mess.

They just defused one car bomb in a parking lot Tuesday morning. Looks like the kickers have really got their shit together this week.

[DuctapeFatwa]

11. They aren't there yet, just a couple of guys "assessing security"

Don't know what hotel they are (or were) in...

[markses]

6. MSNBC story now: "Destroyed the building" ????

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4016883/

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suspected car bomb blew up outside a hotel in central Baghdad shortly after dawn on Wednesday, destroying the building and causing many casualties, witnesses said.

“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,” a Reuters correspondent at the scene said.

---snip---

[lebkuchen]

10. CNNI is saying the bomb exploded "prematurely"

The scenes they are showing are of the facades of buildings on both sides of the street torn wide open...

[Barrett808]

16. Looks like it could be described as "destroyed"

[lebkuchen]

8. Sooner or later the partisans were going to start using a bigger bomb

The Beruit explosive, that killed 244 Marines, was the equivalent of 12,000 of TNT. What would it take to destroy a hotel?

[WillyT]

12. Fucking Wonderful...

:grr:

What was that article about the soldier returning from Iraq???

Title was something like, "They're gonna keep killing us until we leave."

He's absolutely right.

Fuck...

[DuctapeFatwa]

13. at lesat 3 dead:rte.ie

Iraqi police say at least three people are reported to have been killed in a suicide car bomb attack in central Baghdad.

A spokesman said the explosion occured outside a hotel, causing major damage, and destroying a small police staion nearby.

Meanwhile United Nations security experts have returned to the city to see if it's safe enough for other UN workers to return.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0128/iraq.html

[Dr Fate]

14. That's just Dub-ya a root'in out the terra-ists!!!

!!!

[maggrwaggr]

15. I'm amazed this didn't get more press today.

It's 11:00 pm PT and I just heard about it.

[hatrack]

17. Oh, Scott Peterson probably picked his nose in court yesterday

Or else Jacko tried to moonwalk on top of a Mini Cooper and fell on the hood when the misjudged the distance.

Or else Martha Stewart had a few hairs out of place in her court appearance.

That's why you didn't hear anything about it.