Truck bomb

VIDEO: Hospital scenes following deadly market blast in Iraq

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Thursday's blast, saying it targeted a gathering place of Shiites and vowed more attacks.

The truck detonated in the Jameela market in the Iraqi capital's crowded Sadr City neighbourhood shortly after dawn, according to two local police officers.

They also said that at least 152 people were wounded in the attack.

Somalia hotel truck bomb toll rises to 15

Senior police official Capt. Mohammed Hussein said the toll has risen to 15. "This is a very worrying situation," he said as he stood outside the Hotel Jazeera near a dead body. "This happened despite all the security precautions in place."

In a visit to neighbouring Ethiopia, U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday the bombing is a reminder "we have more work to do" in stemming terrorism in the region and that groups like al-Shabab offer nothing but destruction.