US probing reports of 14 civilian deaths in Baghdad bomb: Centcom

AS-SALIYAH, Qatar (AFP) Apr 08, 2003
US military authorities are investigating reports that a missile killed at least 14 civilians when it crashed into a residential area in central Baghdad on Monday, US Central Command said.

"US Central Command is investigating allegations that missiles hit the al-Mansur area in Baghdad," it said in a statement, adding that no further information was available.

Witnesses told AFP that nine members of a family, including two children and five other people were found dead after the bomb destroyed four houses off Ramadan 14, a main commercial artery in the al-Mansur area.

The bombardment hit at about 3:00 pm (1100 GMT). Initial reports said the area had been hit by a missile.

Shattered glass and concrete covered the sidewalk, notably in front of the al-Saah restaurant where President Saddam Hussein made a defiant public appearance Friday after US troops launched an attack on Saddam International Airport southwest of the capital.

SPACE.WIRE