Wednesday, July 13 2005 15:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: Twenty-four Iraqi children and one US soldier were killed this morning (July 13, 2005) in a suicide car bomb attack in southeastern Baghdad, hospital sources and US forces said.

Eighteen more children were wounded, along with two US soldiers.

"A driver approached one of the US humvees and then detonated his car," said Sergeant David Abrams.

"One US soldier was killed and two wounded," he said.

One eyewitness, Mohammed Ali Hamza, 25, said US forces turned up in the Al-Jedidah district to warn residents to stay indoors because of reports of a car bomb in the area.

"Children gathered round the Americans who were handing out sweets. Suddenly a suicide car bomber drove round from a side street and blew himself up," he added.