Reuters correspondent Samia Nakhoul said the explosion was so close she could feel the impact and see a fiery flash. She said there was one big bang, and otherwise it had been quiet. The hotel is located in a business and residential area, near other hotels and a government communications center.

Nakhoul said it was unclear whether the bomb targeted anything in the area or was a stray. Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahafwas at the building earlier in the evening giving television interviews.

Reuters