Deaths Feared in Attack on Iraq Munitions Site

ZAAFARANIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi civilians were badly wounded today in explosions at a weapons dump on the outskirts of Baghdad, and local residents said more than a dozen may be dead and others trapped in the rubble of their homes.

A CNN reporter at the scene quoted witnesses as saying 14 people were killed when an errant rocket struck a house.

Photographer Yannis Behrakis said there were many casualties. “It’s a very ugly scene here. There are people on the streets bleeding, with severed hands and legs,” he said.

Residents took out their rage on U.S. troops, throwing stones at soldiers who arrived to investigate.

A U.S. officer said the explosions were set off by flares fired by unidentified attackers.

“Hostile forces fired four flares into an ammunition storage area. One of the flares ignited an explosion, and that set off a chain of explosions,” Capt. Patrick Sullivan said. He said a U.S. soldier was slightly hurt.