A Huge Blast, and Then Brown Smoke Billowed Into the Hall
BAGHDAD — The first blast, a thunderous explosion, came at 5:21 p.m., followed by a volley of automatic weapons fire. Someone inside the Palestine Hotel shouted that the nearby Ishtar Hotel had been hit.
Moments later came a second explosion -- loud but more distant. More gunfire. Associated Press reporters left their work room for the relative safety of the hall, protected by internal walls.
Suddenly, at 5:24 p.m., a huge blast rocked the building with a force so intense that people inside could feel the shock wave. The hallway filled with billowing brown smoke.
“Everybody put on helmets and body armor!†a security advisor shouted.
No one hesitated.
Bewildered staffers milled about. Some headed for the fire exit. Some glanced about nervously, panting for breath in the dust. Conversations were at a shout.
“Stay on the floor, stay on the floor!†yelled a security advisor. “You’re safer here.â€
A quick head count determined that no one had been killed.
Three TV cameramen stumbled down the hall, holding their heads as blood spilled from their wounds. A security advisor dressed their injuries. Once the shooting stopped, he escorted them downstairs to a car waiting to take them to a hospital.
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