BAGHDAD: A car bomb explosion near a bus stop killed five people and wounded 15 others in Baghdad, police said.     

The officials said the blast took place on Thursday morning near a bus stop in the mainly Shia neighborhood of Hurriyah as commuters were gathering to catch rides to different parts of Baghdad.

Five minibuses were damaged or burnt in the attack.

Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the casualty figures.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media.

Violence has ebbed in Iraq, but deadly attacks are still frequent.