Death toll rises to 57 in twin bombings near restaurant north of Baghdad

Death toll in twin bombings in Iraq rises to 57

BAGHDAD — Iraqi police say the casualty toll in twin bombings near a restaurant north of Baghdad has risen to 57 killed and 73 wounded.

Friday evening’s attack took place in a busy area in the town of Khalis, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Baghdad. A car bomb exploded outside the restaurant at about 6:30 p.m. and was followed within minutes by a roadside bomb just a few steps away.

Police initially said at least 40 people died. But a police spokesman for Diyala province, Capt. Ghalib al-Karkhi, gave the revised toll on Saturday morning.

The attack took place as Iraq’s electoral commission released final results from the March 7 parliamentary elections showing former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi’s bloc was the top vote getter.