June 30, 2009 Car bomb explodes in northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk Play video

(NECN/AP)- A car bomb exploded in a crowded outdoor market in the northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people, Iraqi police said.

Police Brigadier General Sarhat Qadir said the explosives-laden car was parked near a crowded market in the ethnically tense city. The car bomb exploded as the vegetable and poultry market was crowded with people shopping for their evening meal, police said. Police and hospital officials gave the death toll and said about 40 people were wounded.

The bombing marred what had otherwise been a festive day as Iraqis marked what the government decreed National Sovereignty Day, to mark the withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraqi cities. The deadly attack comes amid rising concerns of the an upsurge in violence as Iraqi forces assume more responsibility for their own security.

It was the latest in a series of bombings and shootings that have killed more than 250 people since June 20, including a truck bombing near Kirkuk that killed 82 people.