An Iraqi soldier and a civilian were killed and 17 others wounded when two bombs successively exploded in central Baghdad Sunday morning, an Interior Ministry source said.

A roadside bomb went off after 8:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) near an Iraqi army patrol in the Tahariyat Square in Karrada area, killing one soldier, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

In the wake of the bombing, another bomb detonated as a crowd of people, including reporters and photographers, gathered to inspect the scene, killing a civilian and wounding 17 others, the source said.

One of military vehicles, several buildings and nearby shops were damaged by the blasts, the source said, adding that the civilian victim was probably a reporter.

Iraqi security forces cordoned off the area, the source said.

Insurgents have frequently attacked Iraq's fledgling security forces, accusing them of collaborating with U.S.-led occupation forces.

Source: Xinhua