At least 15 people were either killed or injured when a car bomb went off outside a police station in western Baghdad on Monday, a news agency said.

Quoting witnesses at the scene, including medical workers, the agency said the toll could go up.

The blast in the Ameriyah district targeted the police force's bureau of criminal investigations. Several people were seen being carried away from the scene minutes after the blast.

Thick smoke was seen rising from the scene, but the extent of the damage was not immediately clear. US troops cordoned off the area.

The explosion occurred a day after US officials announced the capture of Iraq's former leader Saddam Hussein.

Agencies