At least 69 people died or found dead in Iraq on Monday, including 33 bombing victims of an attack on laborers lined up to find a days work in Baghdad's Sadr city Shiite slum.
The bomb targeting Iraqi Shiites lining up for day jobs in Baghdad's Sadr City slum killed at least 33 people and injured more than 59 others, police said. According to the AP, the bomb tore through a collection of food stalls and kiosks at about 6:15 a.m., cutting down men who gather there daily hoping to be hired as laborers.
There were conflicting reports as to whether the blast was caused by a suicide bomber or a device concealed amid debris by the roadside.
Gunmen also killed Sunni academic Essam al-Rawi, head of the University Professors Union, as he was leaving home.
Meanwhile, the number of American military personnel and civilian contractors killed in Iraq in October has hit 101. US military command also stated that four non-American soldiers were also killed.
In all, 59 US army soldiers, 31 marines, two navy sailors and an airman have been killed in action, while two troops and a marine have died of "non-combat related causes," the US-led coalition said Monday.
In addition, five American civilians died in attacks.
The U.S. military said in a statement on Monday the Marine died in combat, Reuters reported. Before the latest death, October was already the deadliest month since January 2005 when 107 American soldiers died.
