Nearly 32 people were killed in a twin suicide attack in central Baghdad, Iraq while 110 were wounded, AFP reported, quoting the ministry. 

A large blast was heard, followed by the sirens of ambulances rushing to the scene in Tayaran Square. A suicide bomber blew an explosive belt, reported CNN, quoting security officials.

Pope Francis, who hopes to visit Iraq in March, on Thursday deplored as a “senseless act of brutality” a suicide bombing in Baghdad that left at least 32 people dead.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the bomb attacks on Tayaran Square in Baghdad this morning,” the Vatican said in a statement sent to Iraqi President Barham Saleh in the pope’s name.

Suicide attacks have become relatively rare in Baghdad following  years of deadly sectarian violence with a last such attack taking place in June 2019 that left several people dead.

While the attacks were not immediately claimed, ultra-conservative Islamist groups, most recently the Islamic State organisation, have used suicide bombs.