Iraq death toll in April almost same as last year

BAGHDAD, April 30, 2010 AFP - The number of Iraqis killed in violence in April fell slightly month on month but was almost unchanged from 12 months ago, the government said on Friday.

Figures compiled by the health, interior and defence ministries showed that 328 people 274 civilians, 39 police and 15 soldiers died as a result of attacks in April, only slightly fewer than the 355 killed 12 months ago.

April’s death toll, however, was down slightly on March, when 367 people were killed in unrest.

A total of 917 people 731 civilians, 133 police and 53 soldiers were wounded last month, the ministries added, an increase on the 747 people who were injured in April 2009.