BAGHDAD: Two suicide bombers blew themselves up on Tuesday at a hall in north Baghdad, killing at least 15 people, security officials said, the latest in a surge in nationwide violence.

The blasts took place shortly after midday prayers in the Habib Ibn Al Mudhaher Hussainiyah in the capital’s Qahira neighbourhood, the interior ministry and police sources said.

At least 30 people were wounded.

The first bomber blew himself up at the entrance to the hall, while the second ran through the ensuing chaos and set off his explosives inside the building itself, said the officials.

The hall that can be used for religious functions as well as prayers lies adjacent to the Imam Al Sadiq University, a private teaching institution.

As a result, many of the victims were students, the police source said.

Bombings elsewhere in Baghdad and north of the capital in Salaheddin province, meanwhile, left two people dead and six others wounded.

Agence France-Presse