US helicopters kill eight including two children near Baghdad

Baghdad: Eight civilians, including two children, were killed when US helicopters attacked two cars near a town northwest of Baghdad, local police said on Thursday.

The strike occurred near Baiji on Wednesday evening, a police official said.

The bodies were disfigured beyond recognition, he added.

Two boys, aged 8 and 11, were among the victims, police said.

A US military statement confirmed the attack, saying: "This was an incident last night involving coalition forces that resulted in civilian casualties.''

The military said the incident was being investigated, and regretted the civilian deaths.