A terrorist homicide bomber blew up a fuel truck near a crowded vegetable market outside a Shi'ite mosque in the town of Musayyib. According to Reuters, the explosion killed 98 and sent 75 more to hospitals. The carnage was devastating:
"After the bomb I went over there and found my son's head. I could not find his body," said Mohsen Jassim of his 18-year-old son.
The Associated Press reports "a man detonated explosives strapped to his body late Saturday in the center of this religiously mixed town about 40 miles south of Baghdad, police said, triggering a huge explosion near a Shiite mosque as worshipers were heading to sunset prayers. The street was bustling with families enjoying a stroll in the cool of the evening:
Most accounts said a fuel tanker was moving slowly in the center of the town when the blast occurred, but a tanker truck in the area was mostly intact Sunday.
Zeyd Mohammed, 25, said a tanker truck filled with fuel detonated as it approached the mosque.
"The truck was moving when the suicide attacker detonated himself. He was targeting the mosque," Mohammed said.
CNN reports that the tanker entered Musayyib after being searched at the city's entrance and parked at the city center, according to police. The bomber, strapped with an explosive vest, approached the tanker and detonated. According to CNN, police are calling it a coordinated attack, suggesting the tanker's driver was an accomplice.
Hyscience posted about this terrorist attack yesterday and included the account of an Iraqi who was shopping in Musayyib's market when the explosion occurred. I have posted the eye witness account below with permission of Hyscience:
Dear Richard,
Thanks for both your emails. I read the interesting article. Such debates are common to us. People may go in a vicious circle in case of trying to convince those who encourage the terrorists - I guess such persons or groups who defend the terrorists are very little to check sites like this so that they can in turn improve themselves for democracy world. The mission is not to agitate such subjects among people whom are considered as educated people, it is rather how to communicate with those rural people who work as a nest to terrorists.
I'm Sorry to tell you that today evening at 7:00 pm here in my city a suicide blast occurred killing 60 and injuring 90 while I was doing my shopping. Just 50 meters from me it occurred ! The blast caused by a fuel tank-car driven by a suicide bomber exploded in the center of our city directly in front of the main town mosque. The place usually crowded by different people who usually do their marketing or sitting in casinos for a short rest. Most of the people are civil citizens- women , children & old men.
I suddenly found myself thrown into one of those foodstuff shops. Huge flames were running to everywhere. Splinters were thrown all around. We kept stick on the flour sacks hearing the thrown flying splinters over the place.
Then I tried to hurry back to the place of the event but the flame was horribly burning. My elder son who was running his little internet caffe' - only 90 meters far from the targetted area became terrified, crying in horror, running searching his father. Soon he got to me and he hugged me with faint dying face. I tried to satisfy him that things were o.k. But I dully worried about my two other sons-Saeed who used to do his body building practice in a sport club 25 meters far from the mosque , and Shams whose one of his friend already told me that he had his short talk with him.
My son , while crying, begged me not to go back to the burning place saying it might be targetted again by another attempt to kill more people. His partner in the cafe' begged to accompany me in his van to take me back home 3 kilometer far to check if my other sons were at home.
Fortunately once I arrived home I found my 2 other sons there. They in turn were asking everyone coming from the site. Our neighbour, whom I met him near to the place where the blast made increased my worry. Thanks to God I found him too already arrived his home.
But still my brother with his son - whose T.V. & Satilite workshop is close to the mosque - 25 meters far-did not call or contact me! I cannot go back to check about their desting!Now it is nearly midnight and I have been trying to contact him but telephone lines are cut. Along the way from where the blast happened till my residency , hundreds of mob were running aimlessly. They did not know where to go and whoever they ask to inquire abiut their relatives and friends.
Now I am so tired to continue my message. So only excuse me. Till tomorrow, pray to find my brother safe with his son.
Will continue tomorow. Please , keep in touch.
Note: Unfortunately I weren't carrying my digital camera to register the hell itself! Till tomorrow, then have my best wishes & regards
Sabah
Babylon, Iraq. AL-MUSSAYEB district.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this evil act. I hope the inhuman perpetrator suffers terribly in hell.
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