Official says death toll in blasts in Iraq’s second largest rises from 20 to 43

By AP
Sunday, August 8, 2010

Official: Death toll rises to 43 in Iraq blast

BAGHDAD — Iraqi health officials say the death toll from an explosion late Saturday in the country’s second-largest city has risen from 20 to 43.

Basra health department spokesman Dr. Salah Abid confirmed the new casualty count on Sunday.

An official in the Basra morgue also put the number of bodies — some of which were badly burned — at 43.

The morgue official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The scores of wounded people were taken to at least four hospitals in Basra.

It’s still not clear what caused the explosion. Officials differ on whether it was a pair of bombs or a malfunctioning power generator.

Basra is 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad.

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