Iraq officials say car bomb at market kills 12 people in central Iraq

BAGHDAD – Iraqi authorities say a car bomb attack at a market has killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others in central Iraq.

Police officials said the Saturday night attack took place when a pickup truck exploded at the entrance of a wholesale fruit and vegetable market in the city of Samarra.

Police said that at least 30 people were wounded in the attack.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in Iraq since attacks began accelerating in April following a deadly security crackdown against a Sunni protest camp in the northern town of Hawija.

Medical officials in nearby hospital confirmed the casualty figures. All officials provided details of the violence on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release the information.