9 killed, 14 injured as bomb explodes in a busy Baghdad area

Baghdad: Iraqi officials say at least nine people have been killed and 14 wounded when a bomb struck a busy area in Baghdad.

Police officials say the target was a Labour and Social Affairs Ministry convoy that was passing through the central Bab Al Sharji district.

Thursday's explosion occurred during morning rush hour.

Two hospital officials and two policemen gave the casualty toll on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information.

There were conflicting reports about whether it was a suicide attack or a parked car bomb.