Three car bombs exploded in quick succession in the mainly Shiite southern city of Amarah on Wednesday, killing at least 26 people and injuring 100, authorities said. The explosions were about six minutes apart, beginning about 10 a.m. when an explosives-laden car parked in a garage blew up, local police and an intelligence official said. Another car about 50 yards away exploded shortly afterward as people gathered to examine the damage from the first, police said.

The third blast occurred across the street from a movie theater, also about 50 yards away, police said.

An official at Zahra General Hospital in Amarah said at least 26 people were killed and 100 wounded. The official said the hospital was still receiving new casualties.

The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the attack.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Three car bombs exploded in quick succession in the mainly Shiite southern city of Amarah on Wednesday, causing scores of casualties, authorities said.

The explosions were about six minutes apart, beginning about 10 a.m. when an explosives-laden car parked in a garage blew up, local police and an intelligence official said.

Another car about 50 yards away exploded shortly afterward as people gathered to examine the damage from the first, police said.

The third blast occurred across the street from a movie theater, also about 50 meters yards away, police said, adding there were many casualties but the number could not immediately be determined.

The intelligence official said hospitals were still receiving the dead and injured. He, like the police official, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the attack.

Amarah, a Shiite militia stronghold about 200 miles southeast of Baghdad, is the provincial capital of Maysan province, which borders Iran. Iraqi forces took over control of security from British troops there in April. Violence has been on the rise in Iraq's oil-rich Shiite southern heartland as militias and other factions vie for control.

Written By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA