12 killed, 40 wounded in bank attack

At least 12 people were killed and 40 wounded when gunmen attacked the Iraq Central Bank in Baghdad on Sunday, triggering a series of explosions, a defence ministry official said.

At least 12 people were killed and 40 wounded when gunmen attacked the Iraq Central Bank in Baghdad on Sunday, triggering a series of explosions, a defence ministry official said.

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The siege began at around 2:50 pm (1150 GMT), and a total of eight blasts were heard over the next 40 minutes, with exchanges of fire and a standoff between the attackers and Iraqi security forces continuing.

Most of the casualties were bank workers, the defence ministry official said.

Major General Qassim Atta, a spokesman for the security forces in Baghdad, said it was unclear if the gunmen had intended to rob the bank, target its employees, or destroy the building.