At least five people were killed and 11 others injured when a key bridge over the Tigris River in Baghdad was hit by a suicide truck bombing on Thursday morning, the Interior Ministry said.

The blast, which occurred at about 7 AM (03:00 GMT) in the morning rush hour, has badly damaged the al-Sarafiya bridge in northern Baghdad, an anonymous official of the Interior Ministry told Xinhua.

At least five cars plunged into the Tigris River and the casualties toll could rise further, the official said.

The al-Sarafiya bridge connecting two neighborhoods -- al-Azamiyah and Bab al-Muazam is a key artery in the northern part of the city.

It is often used by minibuses and commercial vehicles traveling from central Baghdad to markets in the city's northern areas.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2007)