The number of people killed by suicide bombers in southern Iraq yesterday rose to 73 after five people died in hospital overnight.
Five suicide bombers blew up explosives-laden cars at three police stations in the city of Basra, and at the police academy in nearby Zubeir in the bloodiest attacks in the British-controlled city since the start of the US-led occupation a year ago.
Iraqi and British officials said on Wednesday 68 people, excluding the bombers, were killed and 99 wounded in the blasts.