Special Report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a roadside bomb explosion in Abu Ghraib area west of Baghdad on Monday rose to nine and 22 people wounded, an Interior Ministry source said.

    "Our latest reports said that up to nine people were killed and 22 others injured by the roadside bomb explosion near a car repair workshop in Abu Ghraib area," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    The blast occurred in the afternoon when many people were gathering outside the garage to have their cars repaired, the source said.

    Iraqi security forces rushed to the scene while ambulances raced to evacuate the victims to nearby hospitals, the source added.

    The powerful explosion also damaged several nearby shops and civilian cars in the area, some 15 km west of Baghdad, he said.

    Despite the security gains in recent months in Iraq, there are still sporadic bombings targeting Iraqi security forces and civilians, which gave setback to the Iraqi government.