A suicide bomber driving a truck loaded with explosives attacked a security checkpoint in the southern Iraqi city of Hilla on Sunday, killing at least 45 people and wounding more than 100, security officials said.

More than 30 cars waiting at the checkpoint were set on fire by the blast, and some of the drivers and passengers were trapped inside.

Speaking from a hospital in Hilla, Ahmed Muhammed, a college student, said: “I was sitting in the car waiting to be searched by the police when suddenly it became dark. Then my car was going back, and my legs were no longer there.”