Suicide bomber kills 61 in Iraq

BAGHDAD, June 20 (UPI) -- At least 61 people died when a suicide bomber exploded a truck as worshippers finished midday prayers at a large Shiite mosque in Iraq.

More than 130 others were wounded when the truck detonated in a square near the Khalani mosque in Baghdad.

"It was like an electrocution," said Najim Abdul Wahid, 45, a carpenter. "People were screaming, calling for help. I saw many people burning inside their cars. Charred bodies mixed and melted with charred cars."

The timing of the blast seemed intended to show insurgents could attack where and when they wanted, despite the U.S. security crackdown in Baghdad, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

Many who live near the site of the blast said they believed the Americans must be helping the suicide bombers, the newspaper said.

"The Americans know everything, they can do everything, they can repair the space shuttle without touching it, why do they let these things happen here in Iraq?" Abu Muhammad, 55, who worked at the mosque, told the Times.