Iraqi officials say blasts targeting Baghdad hotels killed 41 people, wounded 106

Iraq: Death toll in Baghdad blasts rises to 41

BAGHDAD — Police and health officials say the death toll in Monday’s suicide car bombings of three Baghdad hotels has risen to 41.

The officials said on Tuesday that up to 106 people were wounded in the blasts, which struck in a span of 15 minutes.

They targeted the Sheraton Ishtar Hotel, Babylon Hotel and Hamra Hotel, which are popular with Western journalists and foreign security contractors.

The attacks were another blow to an Iraqi government already struggling to answer for security lapses that have allowed bombers to carry out massive attacks since August.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information.