Car bomb near bus stop south of Iraqi capital kills 4

Iraqi authorities say a car bomb has killed four people near a bus stop in a town just south of Baghdad.

Police officials say the blast happened Saturday morning as commuters waited for a ride in Mahmoudiya, 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of the capital. They say seven were wounded.

Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Violence has spiked in Iraq over the last seven months. Saturday's attack brings the total death toll so far this month to 485, according to an Associated Press count. Many attacks may go unreported.