Baghdad , Iraq ( CNN ) -- At least 36 people were killed and 71 hurt Monday in three vehicle bombings that rocked Baghdad , an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said . The blasts targeted hotels in central Baghdad . The three explosions happened in quick succession near the Palestine , Babil and Al-Hamrra hotels , the Iraqi official said . Some news organizations have offices in the Palestine and Al-Hamrra hotels .
NEW : More than 70 also hurt in three vehicle bombings in Baghdad . NEW : A suicide bomber kills at least 30 people and wounds more than 100 others outside a Shiite mosque in the northern city of Kirkuk, Iraq.