Mortar shells slam into Iraqi Interior Ministry prison; 7 inmates killed

An Interior Ministry prison was bombed with mortar shells on Monday. Seven people were killed and twenty three wounded.

Photo: Mortar shells slam into Iraqi Interior Ministry prison; 7 inmates killed

The shells hit a prison made up of several cell blocks, each containing prisoners accused of terrorism-related crimes or civil offenses, police said.

Police said American troops have sealed off the area and were investigating the bombardment, which took place about 6:30 a.m. The U.S. military said it had no immediate information, and Iraqi Interior Ministry officials could not be reached for comment.

A hospital official said the inmates were still asleep when the mortars hit, one landing directly on a cell and two others nearby. Casualties were sent to a hospital inside the Interior Ministry compound for treatment, the official said.

The police and hospital officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the attack.